Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Travel & Development Strategy

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/108

Contact: Mohammed Ilyas, Programme Lead Tel: 07712 110046

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CA11).

This report seeks approval to progress with a junction capacity and sustainable transport improvements project at the A4095 / B4100 Banbury Road roundabout in Bicester. Bicester is a key area for economic and housing growth in Cherwell and Oxfordshire, with approximately 10,000 new homes and 138.5 ha of employment land supported by the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031(Local Plan). Banbury Road roundabout junction improvements will facilitate housing and support North West Bicester’s allocation of 6,000 houses and boost economic growth. There are many other strategic infrastructure projects planned to be delivered by 31st March 2023 in Bicester. This project is expected to be complete by February 2023. 

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a)               approve the hybrid design option (see Annex A) and approve progression into Design and Procurement Stage 2 of the project.

b)              approve in principle the use of The Oxfordshire County Council (Banbury Road Roundabout) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] in parallel with negotiations for private acquisition, with such powers of compulsory purchase used only as a matter of last resort. If Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is required to deliver the project, we will seek further approval, subject to the scheme meeting all CPO requirements and the paper will be brought back to Cabinet, once the necessary approval has been sought, including public engagement on preferred options and submission of a planning application for the scheme.

Recommendations agreed

Cabinet considered a report which sought approval to progress with a junction capacity and sustainable transport improvements project at the A4095 / B4100 Banbury Road roundabout in Bicester.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Cabinet Member for Travel & Development Strategy reported that significant work had been carried out as part of the growth of Bicester as a town. Officers were thanked for their work on this in addition to the consultation which had taken place with groups to ensure cycling, walking and bus facilities were adequate.

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Reference was made to  the need to approve in principle, the use of The Oxfordshire County Council (Banbury Road Roundabout) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] in parallel with negotiations for private acquisition, with such powers of compulsory purchase used only as a matter of last resort.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Highways Management thanked Mr Bugg and other cycling groups that have been involved in this consultation.

Councillor Calum Miller, Cabinet Member for Finance, agreed with the comments made and referred to this Council putting active travel first to ensure new proposals come forward when they comply with the recently adopted policies of promoting active travel.

RESOLVED:

a)               That approval be given to the hybrid design option (Annex A of the report) and approval be given to the progression into Design and Procurement Stage 2 of the project.

b)              That approval be given in principle, to the use of The Oxfordshire County Council (Banbury Road Roundabout) Compulsory Purchase Order 202[x] in parallel with negotiations for private acquisition, with such powers of compulsory purchase used only as a matter of last resort. If Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is required to deliver the project, further approval would be sought, subject to the scheme meeting all CPO requirements and the paper would be brought back to Cabinet, once the necessary approval has been sought, including public engagement on preferred options and submission of a planning application for the scheme.