Agenda, decisions and minutes

Cllr Andrew Grant declared an interest on Item 15 (Woodcote – proposed 20mph speed limits) namely co-executor and beneficiary of a property on a road affected by the proposed changes in Woodcote.

The Leader of the Council was appointed to chair that item and make the decision.

Any county councillor may, by giving notice to the Proper Officer by 9 am two working days before the meeting, ask a question on any matter in respect of the Cabinet Member’s delegated powers.

The number of questions which may be asked by any councillor at any one meeting is limited to two (or one question with notice and a supplementary question at the meeting) and the time for questions will be limited to 30 minutes in total. As with questions at Council, any questions which remain unanswered at the end of this item will receive a written response.

Questions submitted prior to the agenda being despatched are shown below and will be the subject of a response from the appropriate Cabinet Member or such other councillor or officer as is determined by the Cabinet Member, and shall not be the subject of further debate at this meeting. Questions received after the despatch of the agenda, but before the deadline, will be shown on the Schedule of Addenda circulated at the meeting, together with any written response which is available at that time

Cllr John Howson submitted the following question:

“The 20mph scheme on the agenda today are a helpful addition to safety measures. However, now that the Botley Road has been closed for more than two weeks, what steps can be taken to make the experience for pedestrians safer at the two key pinch points of the walkway under the railway and the bus stop on south side of the Botley Road?”

The Chair provided a verbal response at the meeting:

“The closure of the Botley road is only 2 weeks old and conditions have changed for various reasons. The issues referred to in the question are very much kept under review and have evolved. Discussions about the points raised are ongoing between interested parties ie the County Council, Kier, and bus companies, and included covered bus stops and one or more bus stops for westbound passengers, to alleviate the problems raised.”

Cllr Howson welcomed the Chair’s response and stressed the importance of good communication with Districts whilst the works were underway. The footpath underneath the railway bridge to the north of the site was an important diversionary route but was due to be closed from June to April the following year.

The Chair undertook to provide Cllr Howson with a written response following the meeting and added that the closure of the above footpath would be kept under review.

Members of the public who wish to speak at this meeting can attend the meeting in person or ‘virtually’ through an online connection.

Requests to speak must be submitted by no later than 9am four working days before the meeting.  Requests to speak should be sent to committeesdemocraticservices@oxfordshire.gov.uk .

If you are speaking ‘virtually’, you may submit a written statement of your presentation to ensure that if the technology fails your views can still be taken into account. A written copy of your statement can be provided no later than 9 am 2 working days before the meeting. Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

The following speakers addressed the meeting:

(All speakers on all the items have 3 minutes except for County Councillors representing the relevant division who have 5 minutes)

NOTE: At this point the Cabinet Member informed the meeting that he would consider the below substantive items of the agenda following conclusion of Item 4:

Item 15: Woodcote – proposed 20mph speed limits

Item 14: Steventon – proposed 20mph speed limits

The Cabinet Member added that remaining items would be considered in order as per agenda apart from Item 13, which was considered after Item 12.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2023 to be signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the minutes of the meeting from 23^rd March 2023.

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/163

Contact: James Whiting, Principal Officer – Parking

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 5).

To seek approval of proposed parking measures.

Following the introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) across Cherwell, South Oxfordshire and The Vale of Whitehorse districts in November 2021, many requests to review existing parking restrictions had been received.

The report presented the consultation responses to the advertised Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) which reviewed existing restrictions, mainly focussed on a residents’ permit parking scheme.

The Chair felt that the enforcement would help and improve amenity for residents but did note that the pending application for a new ‘car-free’ ‘Gateway’ residential development on the site of this carpark could put pressure on the proposals, if approved, in the future.

Noting the responses to the consultation, the Chair highlighted the objections raised by respondent 5 and agreed that growth in traffic was unsustainable and needed to be managed. Other respondents were in favour of the proposals but felt that they did not go far enough.

Respondent 6 was acknowledged, and the Chair indicated that officers should take the points raised into consideration.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the proposals as advertised for:

                          i.         ‘Resident Permit Only Parking (past this point)’ spaces on; Cronshaw Close, Station Road, and White Leys Close,

                         ii.         ‘Shared-Use Parking’ spaces on; Haydon Road, and Lydalls Road,

                       iii.         ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ (Double Yellow Lines) restrictions on; Haydon Road, Lydalls Road, and White Leys Close.

Forward Plan Ref: 2023/043

Contact: Anthony Kirkwood, Principal Engineer Traffic & Road Safety Team, anthony.kirkwood@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 6).

A decision is required on sites proposed for new Disabled Persons Parking Places (DPPPs) and also sites where a DPPP is judged to be no longer required.

The report presented responses to the statutory consultation on the proposals to remove, amend and introduce disabled persons parking places (DPPPs) at various locations in the Cherwell and West districts of Oxfordshire.

The Chair addressed the responses to the consultation and the replies provided by officers.

The Chair noted that the fifth recommendation in the report did not reflect the wording in the officers’ response to objections. The recommendation was amended to reflect that the DPPP on Western Crescent was to be retained.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED:

a.    The proposed provision of Disabled Persons Parking Places (DPPP) at: Beatrice Drive (Banbury), Sandford Rise (Charlbury), Nine Acres Lane (Charlbury), Hannis Road (Chipping Norton), John Lopes Road (Eynsham), Marlborough Avenue (Kidlington), Park Close (Yarnton),

b.    the proposed removal of the DPPP at: Oxford Close (Kirtlington),

c.    the proposed relocation of the DPPP at: High Street (Bloxham),

d.    to defer approval of the proposals at the following location pending further investigations: Merton Close (Eynsham), and

e.    to defer retain approval of the proposals to remove a DPPP at: Western Avenue (Banbury).

Forward Plan Ref: 2023/041

Contact: Mike Horton, Technical Officer, Parking Team.

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

To consider proposed waiting restrictions.

The report presented the consultation responses to the advertised TRO which proposed changes and corrections to the existing restrictions.

The Parish Council contacted the Civil Parking team in July 2022 to request changes to parking restrictions in Wood Lane and Woodlands Road. It was discovered that some of the existing Traffic Order documents had some existing yellow lines missing and so it was agreed to undertake a joint project to correct the records and consult upon some proposed changes simultaneously.

The Chair invited Cllr Bidgood to address the meeting and responded to the points made.

Cllr Bidgood welcomed all the report recommendations and wished to thank the team, in particular Mike Horton – Technical Officer, Parking, for the help provided throughout the development of the proposed scheme.

The Chair noted and addressed the responses to the consultation.

The Chair referred to response 7 and requested that officers provide a response to the points raised. Following the meeting, James Whiting, Principal Officer – Parking, provided a response via email.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the proposed amendments to waiting and loading provision as advertised comprising:

a)    Extensions to the existing ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ restrictions (double yellow lines) in Wood Lane near the junction of Woodlands Road, across the entrance to the public car park and two new bus stop clearways are being proposed to safeguard bus access,

b)    reposition the existing double yellow lines and loading bay for Goods Vehicle deliveries on the southwest side on Woodlands Road to help improve visibility from the car park exit,

c)    formalise the existing school keep-clear zig-zag markings in Grove Road outside Bishopswood Special School, meaning that a No Stopping restriction will be in place between 8.30am-9am and 3pm-3.30pm on Monday to Fridays.

d)    A number of minor updates to Traffic Order map schedules across the parish.

Forward Plan Ref: 2023/035

Contact: Anthony Kirkwood, Principal Engineer Traffic and Road Safety, anthony.kirkwood@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 8).

A decision is required on a proposed no loading at any time restriction (excepting existing designated loading bays) at The Plain roundabout including the approaches to the roundabout on St Clements, Cowley Road, Iffley Road and Cowley Place).

The report presented responses received during the statutory consultation on a proposal to prohibit loading at all times other than the existing off carriageway loading bays as shown in in Annex 1 of the report.

The Chair invited the speakers to address the meeting and addressed the points made.

Officers agreed to continue the discussion regarding bollards on loading bays with Peter Barnett, CoHSAT.

There was a discussion regarding the Magdalen College School bus service which used the loading bays to drop off and collect pupils. Officers confirmed that loading was permissible whereas waiting was not, thus school drop off and collection on Iffley Road and the loading bays outside Sainsbury’s could continue if the proposals were passed.

In response, the Bursar of Magdalen College School raised the importance of the school adhering to its safeguarding responsibilities for its junior school children. In the event of the school holding any bus from which an expected child from the junior cohort was missing, the school would be in breach of the no waiting restrictions.

James Whiting, Principal Officer – Parking, stated that afternoon restrictions applied from 16:00 – 19:00 so a shift in operating times to 16:30 could alleviate any issues around after-school collection.

The Bursar added that the school was introducing late 5pm buses from September 2023 which meant pupils would be collected from the locations of any reviewed restrictions. The school was aiming to increase the percentage of its pupils who used its home to school transport service with the launch of its new bus partnership with Headington School.

The Chair welcomed the school’s sustainability policy and efforts to reduce the number of pupils travelling to school by car. The Chair agreed that loading enforcement should start from 16:30 but noted that this scheme should be an ongoing process and officers should continue discussions with the school to ascertain whether any improvements to the proposals could be made.

The Chair also noted and addressed a number of the consultation responses and acknowledged the concerns and objections raised in responses 8 and 9 and emphasised that all comments should be considered carefully by officers. Some objectors felt that the proposals did not go far enough. The Chair reminded the meeting that these proposals formed part of an iterative process which required ongoing engagement with all stakeholders.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED:

a.    a peak hour loading ban (suggested times of operation between 07.00 to 10.00 and 16.00 16:30 to 19.00)

b.    officers to investigate alternative arrangements for loading in this area in consultation with the residents, businesses and landlords to inform a decision on whether to progress a more comprehensive scheme taking account of the likely requirement for a Public Inquiry to determine the appropriateness of further controls on loading.

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/145

Contact: Geoff Barrell, Developer Schemes Coordinator and 20 Limits Project Manager.

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 9).

To consider responses received to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of 20mph and 30mph speed limits in Abingdon.

The report presented responses received to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of 20mph and 30mph speed limits in Abingdon as shown in Annex 1 of the report.

These proposals had previously been considered by the Chair in November 2022 and February 2023, but decision was deferred due to ongoing concerns regarding the schemes adherence to the Council’s 20mph policy and concerns expressed by bus operators.

Following a comprehensive review of the proposals by the Council, bus operators, and representatives of active travel, an amended proposal was agreed.

The scheme now being presented was a relaxation of the original proposals thus there was no requirement to undertake a new, formal consultation. The Chair thanked everyone who had contributed to discussions since the deferral in February.

The Chair invited speakers to address the meeting and responded to the points raised.

The Chair queried whether the bus companies, which had rejected this scheme in February, were now content with the proposals. Officers confirmed that extensive engagement with bus companies had been undertaken and agreement by all parties on the scheme presented had now been achieved

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the proposed introduction of 20mph and 30mph speed limits in Abingdon as advertised but with subsequent minor relaxations as outlined in paragraph 19, and providing that the text headed “Drayton Road” in the table at paragraph 19 be removed and replaced with “The 20mph limit is proposed to start immediately south of Mill Road”.

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/233

Contact: Geoff Barrell, Developer Schemes Coordinator and 20 Limits Project Manager.

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 10).

To consider proposed 20mph and 30mph speed limits.

The report presented responses to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits in Cumnor and Farmoor and a 30mph speed limit on the B4044 Eynsham Road in Farmoor, as shown in Annexes 1 to 2 of the report.

These proposals were originally presented to the Chair in February however due to ongoing concerns from the Council’s bus partners the proposal was deferred to enable further discussion to address concerns. Following a comprehensive review of the proposals between the Council, bus operators and Cyclox, a minor amendment in Cumnor was agreed. The revision was a relaxation of the original proposals thus there was no requirement to undertake a new formal consultation.

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

The Chair felt that this was another good example of collaboration and coproduction and emphasised the importance of understanding and respecting the professional requirements of bus operators.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the following proposals as advertised but with a subsequent minor relaxation in Cumnor as outlined in paragraph 17:

a.    20mph speed limit in Cumnor,

b.    20mph speed limit in Farmoor, and

c.    30mph speed limit on the B4044 Eynsham Road in Farmoor.

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/232

Contact: Geoff Barrell, Developer Schemes Coordinator and 20 Limits Project Manager.

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 11).

To consider a proposed 20mph speed limit.

The report presented responses to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits in Faringdon, and the extension of the existing 50mph speed limit on the A4095 Radcot Road by 40m in order to help facilitate the 20mph proposals, as shown in Annex 1 of the report.

These proposals were originally presented to the Chair in February however due to ongoing concerns from the Council’s bus partners decision was deferred to enable further discussion regarding the concerns raised. Following discussion between the Council, bus operators and Cyclox, two revisions were proposed in the latest iteration of the report.

The revisions involved relaxation of the original proposals thus there was no requirement to undertake a new, formal consultation.

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

Mr Harrison suggested some improvements which were not within the scope of the decision nevertheless the Chair encouraged officers to explore the suggestions and thanked Mr Harrison for his contribution to the meeting.

The Chair welcomed the detailed report and thanked officers, bus companies, councillors and other stakeholders for engaging in the coproduction process.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the following proposals as advertised but with subsequent relaxations on 2 radial roads as outlined in paragraph 17:

a.    New 20mph speed limit for Faringdon, and

b.    Extended 50mph speed limit on the A4095 Radcot Road.

Forward Plan Ref: 2023/039

Contact: Geoff Barrell, Developer Schemes Coordinator and 20 Limits Project Manager.

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 12).

To consider a proposed 20mph speed limit on Old Road / Shotover Kilns within Forest Hill parish.

The report presented responses to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of a 20mph speed limit on the Shotover area of the Forest Hill with Shotover Parish as shown in Annex 1 of the report. This had been omitted from an earlier consultation with the Parish.

The Chair noted the responses to the consultation and felt that the small addition to the previously-agreed scheme was sensible and uncontroversial.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits as advertised.

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/245

Contact: Geoff Barrell, Developer Schemes Coordinator and 20 Limits Project Manager.

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 13).

To consider a proposed 20mph speed limit.

The report presented responses to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits in Shrivenham as shown in Annexes 1 – 5 of the report.

The scheme was originally presented to the Chair in February. Due to ongoing concerns from the Council’s bus partners decision was deferred to enable further discussion to address the issues raised.

A comprehensive review of the proposals was undertaken by the Council and bus operators, and an amended plan was agreed. The revisions were a relaxation of the original proposals thus there was no requirement to undertake new, formal consultation. Officers were confident that all bus operator concerns had been addressed and great care was taken to ensure that the latest proposals only extended to what was deemed essential to maintain viable bus services.

The Chair noted that the revision was not accurately presented in Annex 3 of the report. The new limit would start in advance of the junction, between R1 and R3. Officers agreed to provide an up-to-date map.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits in Shrivenham as advertised, but with the subsequent relaxation outlined in paragraph 15.

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/225

Contact: Geoff Barrell, Developer Schemes Coordinator and 20 Limits Project Manager.

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 14).

To consider proposed 20mph speed limits.

The report presented responses to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of 20mph and 40mph speed limits in Steventon as shown in Annexes 1 – 5 of the report.

The existing temporary 20mph and 40mph speed limits were brought in due to ongoing structural issues with the bridge were proposed to be incorporated into the wider proposals as a permanent measure.

The scheme was originally presented to the Chair in February however due to ongoing concerns from the Council’s bus partners decision was deferred to enable further discussion to address the concerns raised.

Following a comprehensive review of the proposals between officers, the Local Member and bus operators, relaxation of the existing proposals was agreed upon.

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

The Chair thanked the bus company for its instructive and constructive engagement since deferral of this decision in February.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management APPROVED the following proposals as advertised:

a.    Village wide 20mph speed limit, and

b.    40mph speed limit on the B4017 High Street.

Forward Plan Ref: 2023/021

Contact: Geoff Barrell, Developer Schemes Coordinator and 20 Limits Project Manager.

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDHM 15).

To consider proposed 20mph speed limits.

Cllr Andrew Gant declared an interest in Item 15 of the agenda.

The Leader of the Council chaired the item.

The report presented responses to a statutory consultation on the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits in Woodcote as shown in Annex 1 of the report.

This scheme was originally considered in March, but decision was deferred to enable further discussions with bus operators to address their concerns. The discussions confirmed the acceptability to all parties of the original proposals.

The Leader welcomed the number of responses to the consultation and noted that most were in favour of the scheme. Over 50% of people stated that if the scheme was introduced they would walk and cycle more.

The Leader noted the objection from Thames Travel Bus Company and officers confirmed that they had engaged with the bus operator on the design of the scheme.

The Leader of the Council APPROVED the proposed introduction of 20mph speed limits as advertised.