Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2009 (TDC3) and to receive for information any matters arising therefrom.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2009 were approved and signed. 

Forward Plan Ref: (2209/162)

Contact: Chris Lees, Traffic Technician (1235 466117) and Peter Ronald, Area TrafficEngineer (01235 466139)

10:05 am

Report by Head of Transport (TDC6)

The Committee considered (TDC6) responses received to a formal consultation on implementation of a 7.5 tonne environmental weight restriction.

Mr Howell tabled an amendment to his recommendation:

·                      Delete “not” in the original recommendation printed in the report TDC6;

·                      The following additional recommendation “to delegate authority to the Head of Transport in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport Implementation to make any minor amendments to the zone to include the two farms on Mount Owen Road, access by milk tankers and agricultural vehicles.”

He confirmed that the detail of the additional recommendation was regarded as minimal and would not require further consultation.

Mr Bowler clarified the definition of an agricultural vehicle and confirmed that the proposed exemption would not include grain carrying lorries. Exempt vehicles would be allowed into the zone in order to gain access for deliveries within the zone and entitled to leave by any route.  Enforcement would require a restricted vehicle to be followed through the zone from its point of entry to its point of exit.  It was likely that any reduction in the volume of heavy traffic in the zone would not be significant and in percentage terms could be expected to follow national guidelines of between 2 – 5 %.

Roger Howard spoke in support of a weight restriction and the revised recommendations. Measures to protect property and lives were long overdue.

Martyn Webb spoke in support of a weight restriction and referred to local support from the Parish Council and residents. He highlighted serious concerns for the safety of children, particularly in the area near the recreation ground.

James Vaughan-Fowler spoke in support of a weight restriction but recognising the needs of local businesses suggested that a permit system possibly operated through local businesses could be investigated.

Stephen Rayson spoke in support of a weight restriction and expressed concern regarding use of unsuitable roads and damage to property.

Simon Collins operated a farm in Weald, which was just outside the zone and called for exemptions for vehicles to travel through the zone in order to access properties situated outside the zone rather than requiring those vehicles to use longer alternative routes.

Bill Barnett also referred to the unsustainability of longer alternative routes and called for consideration to be given to vehicles such as grain lorries accessing local farms to be exempt.

Tony Richards (Watson Petroleum) advised that the company would be seriously affected by a restriction. Use of alternative routes on similarly unsuitable roads was impractical and unsustainable.

Mark Hinton stated that this proposal would greatly add to the burden of the farming industry, which was already in crisis.  Alternative routes would mean greater costs which would ultimately be reflected back in costs to the consumer.  He recognised the concerns of residents but felt the proposal was irresponsible.

Paul Lyons accepted there were concerns regarding road safety and environmental impact but there would also be an impact on local firms who were already affected by the current economic climate.  He supported a permit  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28/09

Forward Plan Ref: 2009/175

Contact: Katherine Powley, County Network Coordinator (01865 815342)

10:45 am

Report by Head of Transport (TDC7)

As part of the County Council’s responsibility under the Traffic Management Act 2004 to manage congestion on its road network the Committee considered (TDC7) contingency routes when it had been deemed necessary by TV police to close a particular road following an accident or incident.

RESOLVED:

(a)       approve the development of the proposed contingency routes;

(b)       support the work of the Network Coordination team in developing these strategies.

Forward Plan Ref: 2009/175

Contact: Katherine Powley, County Network Cordinator (01865 815342)

11:00am

Report by Head of Transport (TDC8)

The Committee considered (TDC8) Highways Agency contingency plans for the A34 through Oxfordshire when Thames Valley Police deemed it necessary to close the A34 in the event of a traffic accident or incident.

RESOLVED: to

(a)       approve the proposed contingency plans; and

(b)       support the Highways Agency recommendations for the A34.

Forward Plan Ref:2009/119

Contact: David Tole, Team Leader, Traffic Regulation Orders (01865 815942) and Joy White, Senior transport Planner (01865 815882)

11.15am

Report by Head of Transport (TDC9)

The Committee considered (TDC9) comments received to a formal consultation regarding introduction of dedicated parking bays for car club vehicles, generally in Oxford and specifically within the proposed Divinity Road and Magdalen Road controlled parking zones.

Nicholas Lawrence spoke in support of the proposals, asked whether it was intended to introduce bays in Bedford Street and establish these facilities in other areas and suggested that the charge should be a legitimate check on businesses and not aligned to business/resident charges.

Mr Tole confirmed bays would be provided in Iffley Fields irrespective of the decision to exclude the area from the CPZ; additional areas could also be added subject to the necessary consultation process.  It was necessary for the charge to be related to costs and it had been decided to link those charges to business permits.

RESOLVED: to

(a)       approve the principle of introducing Car Club bays in Oxford;

(b)       approve the making of the Oxfordshire County Council (Oxford – Car Club Parking Places) Order 20** as published.

Forward Plan Ref: 2009/122

Contact: Matt Bromley, Development Assistant  (01865 815531)

11.30 am

Report by Head of Transport (TDC10).

The Committee considered (TDC10) comments received on a formal consultation to amend parking arrangements in a number of streets in Wolvercote in order to improve movement of buses and enable deployment of larger vehicles by bus operators.

Councillor Fooks thanked officers for their work and welcomed the proposals.

RESOLVED: to approve the proposed changes to parking in Wolvercote as advertised and amended and described in the report TDC10.

Forward Plan Ref: 2009/159

Contact: David Deriaz, Senior Engineer, Design & Implementation (01865 815666)

11.40 am

Report by Head of Transport (TDC10)

The Committee considered (TDC11) proposed traffic calming alterations on premium bus route B1 and noted the support of Councillor Kieron Mallon (Local Member).

RESOLVED: to authorise implementation of the proposed traffic calming alterations in Springfield Avenue, Banbury as set out in the report TDC11.

Forward Plan Ref: 2009/162

Contact: Peter Ronald, Area Traffic Engineer (01235 466139)

11.45 am

Report by Head of Transport (TDC11)

The Committee considered (TDC12) responses to a formal consultation on a proposed traffic calming scheme along the B481 Watlington Road, Nettlebed and noted the support of the Councillor Roger Belson (Local Member).

RESOLVED: to approve the proposed traffic calming scheme on Watlington Road, Nettlebed as advertised and set out in Annex 1 to the report TDC12.

Forward Plan Ref: 2009/163

Contact: Mark Francis, Senior Traffic Technician (01235 466118)

11.50 am

Report by Head of Transport (TDC12)

The Committee considered (TDC12) responses to a formal consultation on proposed waiting restrictions along Coopers Lane, Abingdon.

David Bloxham spoke in support of the restrictions and referred to safety concerns and access problems, particularly for large service vehicles,  which resulted from commuter parking.  He suggested a reduced time for waiting and called for vigorous monitoring and enforcement.

Councillor Hudspeth suggested that Abingdon Town Council be asked to support improved enforcement as part of the joint funding arrangement for PTSOs.

RESOLVED:

(a)       to approve the making the of the Oxfordshire County Council (Abingdon)(One-Way Traffic and Prohibition of Waiting)(Amendment No 11)Oder 20** as advertised;

(b)       authorise the necessary works to implement the proposals.