Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Highway Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/185

Contact: Eric Stevens, Principal Infrastructure Planner Tel: 07436 700673

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CA7).

The Kidlington Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan sets out a cycling and walking network plan for the village including links to neighbouring rural settlements and measures to improve the network over a ten-year timescale to 2031. An improved comprehensive network will increase the uptake of active travel modes.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to approve the Kidlington Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

Recommendations agreed

Cabinet was asked to approve the Kidlington Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) which set out a cycling and walking network plan for the village including links to neighbouring rural settlements and measures to improve the network over a ten-year timescale to 2031.

Before discussing the item Cabinet heard from a number of speakers:

Christiaan Monden was speaking as a Kidlington resident, a father of three school-aged children, a former school governor and trustee of Cycling Without Age.  He believed that a people-centred approach was needed with infrastructure that gave all, regardless of age and ability, a genuine choice to walk or cycle. He urged Cabinet to approve these plans as a first step.

He emphasised three things: 1) redevelopment of the junctions and roundabout on the Oxford/Banbury road have to be top priority; 2) not to spend money on the canal path; 3) a system more connected and joined-up across the many developments around Kidlington.

The first lockdown showed that the people of Kidlington will cycle if it is a safe and convenient option.  Also, people needed safe and convenient bike storage which should be provided in all developments.

Councillor Ian Middleton, Kidlington South, broadly supported the document though he hoped that it could continue to evolve.  He was not keen on shared-use paths and had concerned about development of the canal towpath.  He would like to see a firm commitment to a cycle path on the Bicester Road by Edward Field School.

Councillor Middleton was also concerned that there was not yet a position adopted on Kidlington roundabout and noted that it would be impacted by the proposed stadium.  He was hoping to meet with officers to discuss improvements in the plan.

Councillor Andrew Gant, the Council’s Cycling Champion, supported the comments of other speakers.  He stated that it was unclear how consultation responses to the Plan had been factored in.  He asked Cabinet to make sure that they were.  He believed that access to schools and connectivity were the key factors in the Plan.

Councillor Gant believed that the Active Travel proposals in the Oxford North development were unsatisfactory and Plans such as this one needed to provide options for them.  He urged Cabinet to adopt the plan and allow further development of it.

Councillor Tim Bearder thanked the speakers and agreed that the Plan would have to evolve, particularly with new developments arising such as the potential stadium.  These plans were very important given the huge growth in housing that was planned across the county.  It was necessary to have these plans in place in order to avail of funds such as S106 monies when they become available.

Councillor Bearder noted speakers’ concerns that consultation feedback had not been sufficiently incorporated and was happy to have discussions with them and officers to ensure that it was.

Cabinet Members provided further comments:

·         supporting the calls to ensure that it be made clear how consultation feedback was incorporated into the plans being adopted.

·         emphasising the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7