Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/153

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704/Geoff Barrell, Senior Infrastructure Planner Tel: 07740 779859

Report by Interim Corporate Director Communities (CMDE6).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on proposed  traffic calming measures on Oxford Road in Littlemore which have been put forward as a result of a review of alternative options for traffic calming following the decision by the Cabinet Member for Environment on 18 June 2020 not to proceed with a zebra crossing and other measures consulted on in February and March 2020. Funding for the proposed measures was negotiated from the development of the Lawn Upton House site in nearby Sandford Road.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed traffic calming measures as advertised but to consider retaining the existing northern end buildout.

Approved with the retention of the existing northern end build out.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE6) responses to a consultation on proposed traffic calming measures on Oxford Road in Littlemore put forward as result of a review of alternative options for traffic calming following an earlier decision by her not to proceed with a zebra crossing and other measures which had been consulted on in 2020.

City Councillor John Tanner thanked County officers for proposing two traffic calming schemes for Oxford Road, Littlemore and listening so closely to local views, including those of Littlemore Parish Council and urged that the scheme be supported.  Traffic speeds were dangerously high off the ring road into Oxford Road and that needed to be reduced,  motorists discouraged from using Oxford Road, Littlemore as a short cut to the Reading Road (the A4074) and the environment made safer for pedestrians to cross to the popular Oxford Road recreation ground.   He also asked that the existing northern end build-out at the junction of Oxford Road, Littlemore with the ring road be retained. A flat-top hump was already proposed at this point but retaining the build-out would prevent the loss of two much needed on-street parking places with the narrowing encouraging traffic from the ring road to slow down.

County Councillor Gill Sanders spoke in of the measures proposed in Oxford Road, Littlemore.  Traffic frequently exceeded the 20 mile limit on this road particularly when coming of the roundabout on the ring road. Littlemore Parish Council also supported the proposal as did a large majority of the local residents.  She had raised previously the possibility of installing a 20 mile per hour repeater sign in this road  to remind drivers that there was a speed limit and unless reminded felt many of them would continue to speed despite the installation of the road humps.

A written representation from Sorcha Ianham a resident of Oxford Road, Littlemore thatthe proposal was the best solution to the  volume and speeding traffic, bringing about much improved safety to the residents of Oxford Road and those accessing the road both pedestrians and drivers and was very much welcomed.

The Cabinet Member for Environment thanked the speakers for their comments and having regard to the information set out in the report before her confirmed her decision as follows:

approve the proposed traffic calming measures on Oxford Road, Littlemore as but with the existing northern end buildout retained.

Signed……………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………….