Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/057

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE8).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation introduce a 7.5 tonne environmental weight limit in the Easington area of Banbury and raised junction table with zebra crossing at the Springfield Avenue junction with Horton View and Ruskin Road put forward as a result of discussions between the local County Councillor and residents. Firstly to improve road safety and the feeling of security in the vicinity of the two schools on Springfield Avenue (there are a large number of children that travel through this area and a large number of older, vulnerable residents) and secondly to prevent the existing problems of HGVs rat-running through this area, including those from two existing construction sites at opposite sides of the proposed restriction, which are only likely to be exacerbated when a third site opens to the south.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed 7.5 tonne environmental weight limit in the Easington area of Banbury and proposed raised junction table with zebra crossing at the Springfield Avenue junction with Horton View and Ruskin Road as advertised.

Approved

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered a report (CMDE8) presenting responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 7.5 tonne environmental weight limit in the Easington area of Banbury and raised junction table with zebra crossing at the Springfield Avenue junction with Horton View and Ruskin Road.  The proposals had been put forward as a result of discussions between the local County Councillor and residents to improve road safety and the feeling of security in the vicinity of the two schools on Springfield Avenue and secondly to prevent the existing problems of HGVs rat-running through this area.

Peter Monk had been due to make a statement but in his absence that was read out by an officer:

“I write to point out that the proposals will not produce the benefits sought. There is no dispute that the traffic calming and regulation measures already applied to this area of Banbury have not produced the improvement expected. It is therefore surprising that 'more of the same' is now being proposed. There is no evidence, yet, that penetration by HGV vehicles serving nearby, new housing developments are using Sycamore Drive, Timms Road and Springfield Avenue as an alternative to the Oxford Road - although it is a possible future scenario.

The extension of the existing weight restriction will not, I suggest, make the route less attractive to drivers seeking to save time and avoid congestion - the only things that will do that would be better enforcement of the present measures (unlikely with current police resources) or self-enforcing measures. The latter would be effective but probably bring forth cries of protest from residents - especially those who vociferously advocate 'pouring good money after bad'.

Will a second pedestrian crossing close to the existing one at Horton View / Ruskin Ave be any more of a deterrent than the existing one just north of that junction? He suggested not.

The situation at that point is exacerbated by the 'snack and sweet' shop on the south-west corner (which is very popular with students) and the existence of a 'table hump' at this point which encourages young people to believe that it is an authorised crossing - which it isn't. How there have not been more injuries at that point is amazing.

Better student discipline at this location could be achieved by: -

a)  the schools providing supervision at assembly and dispersal times,

b)  remove the 'table' at this point (or convert it to a 'hump) and extend the guardrails on the east side of Springfield Ave. as far as possible towards the south-bound bus stop and,

c)  convert the existing zebra crossing to a Toucan.

The latter would provide motorists with a visual warning of the crossing position and impose some control over the current careless use by students, both on foot and cycle and also imbue elderly residents of Stanbridge House, and elsewhere, with confidence to use this crossing point instead of crossing randomly, as now.

Whilst the use of the zebra crossing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7