Issue - meetings

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/183

Contact: Ryan Moore, Senior Engineer, Road Agreements Team.

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 7).

To seek approval of proposed crossings and cycle track.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management AGREED to approve the following measures as advertised:

1)    A new zebra crossing on Kennington Road;

2)    A new raised parallel crossing on Kennington Road;

3)    A new non-raised parallel crossing on Whites Lane; and

4)    A new Shared-use footway/cycle track (to be approx. 3 metres wide) on the east side of Kennington Road, and the west side of Whites Lane.

The report presented responses to a consultation on a proposal to introduce a number of pedestrian and pedal cycle improvements on Kennington Road and Whites Lane in order to provide safe and convenient facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

The measures were being funded by the developers of housing on adjacent land with particular focus of encouraging active travel by occupants of this development, the measures would also benefit the many existing pedestrian and cyclists including through the provision of a convenient link through the development of the Sustrans Route 5 linking Abingdon and Oxford

The Chair invited speakers to address the meeting and responded to the points made in their statements.

Cllr Ley asked what the likely timescale for this plan was. Officers explained that the legal process was still underway, and proposals were early on in the design stage. They hoped that work would start a year from now at the latest. 

A key theme throughout the speakers’ statements was the request for engagement and a coproduction approach to outstanding matters of design. The Chair reiterated the importance of a collaborative coproduction approach with Cyclox, CoHSAT and local councillors.

The Chair was pleased that the scheme would be connected further to the south and addressed the current missing link for cyclists travelling between Abingdon and Oxford.

There was concern that this scheme would have a negative impact on biodiversity, with the loss of verges on the eastern side to facilitate the cycleway/footway. The hedges would not be lost but two highway trees needed to be removed to facilitate the works. The Chair asked that the project meet the County Council’s commitment to biodiversity net gain.

The Chair commended the scheme and its elements of co-production.

The need for developments to deliver benefits for the site itself and its neighbouring areas was always a challenge, but the Chair felt this scheme achieved that. 

The Cabinet Member APPROVED the following measures as advertised:

a)    A new zebra crossing on Kennington Road

b)    A new raised parallel crossing on Kennington Road

c)    A new non-raised parallel crossing on Whites Lane

d)    A new shared-use footway/cycle track (to be approximately 3 meters wide) on the east side of Kennington road, and the west side of whites lane