Agenda, decisions and minutes

None declared

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/183

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE4).

The Botley Road Improvement project builds upon objectives set out in the Oxford Transport Strategy where a study of Botley Road was completed in 2016 which confirmed, following stakeholder feedback, the value of a high-quality route that prioritised sustainable transport modes to ease congestion, reduce journey times and improve journey experience.The project includes a package of measures aimed at:    

a.         encourage greater use of more sustainable modes of transport - buses, cycling and walking

b.         ease congestion on the route

c.         improve bus journey times so buses have an advantage over general traffic

d.         provide a safer, more continuous and attractive route for cyclists and pedestrians 

e.         reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality.

f.          Unlock economic growth and job creation opportunities by benefiting development sites with improved access and additional capacity.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposals as advertised, with the following amendments;

a)        Parking layby outside nos 63 to 69 Botley Road to remain resulting in no requirement for amendments to permit holder only parking places on Alexandra Road and Oatlands Road,

b)        No amendments to permit holder only parking places on Harley Road and Riverside Road, and

c)        Parking layby outside nos 119 to 121 Botley Road to be removed. Two (2) no. parking places limiting waiting to 1 hour (no return within one hour) to be provided on highway verge to opposite side of Botley Road resulting in no requirement for amendments to permit holder only parking places on Duke Street and Earl Street.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE4) the latest elements for the Botley Road Improvement project in order to build on objectives set out in the Oxford Transport Strategy for a high-quality route that prioritised sustainable transport modes to ease congestion, reduce journey times and improve journey experience through a package of measures aimed at:    

a.         encouraging greater use of more sustainable modes of transport - buses, cycling and walking;

b.         easing congestion on the route;

c.         improving bus journey times so buses have an advantage over general traffic;

d.         providing a safer, more continuous and attractive route for cyclists and pedestrians;

e.         reducing vehicle emissions and improve air quality;

f.          unlocking economic growth and job creation opportunities by benefiting development sites with improved access and additional capacity.

James Griffiths spoke against removal of the parking layby outside 119 to 121 Botley Road.  The bay had been there since the 1970s to facilitate the shops and was integral to his launderette business enabling customers to unload and carry heavy wet washing. It was in constant use and a lifeline for his business.  The spaces on the opposite side of the road would not work for his customers and he estimated removal of the bay would result in a 30% loss of revenue and business for just 100 metres of additional bus lane.

Darian Stibbe congratulated the county council on the scheme particularly the proposed 20 mph. However, he felt for safety reasons that that needed to be extended further west to include the Waitrose junction which was extremely busy, complex and cluttered and hard for pedestrians to cross with cars accelerating from the end of the current 20 restricted area. It was an arbitrary judgement but one which he felt would be of huge benefit.

Responding to the Cabinet Member Mr Warren confirmed that Department for Transport advice stressed that local speed limits needed to make sense to the average user and take into account the surrounding environment and how that looked to road users. Also current average speeds at this point were above 24mph and so Department advice commended the use of 20mph limits only in conjunction with other supporting measures. As there was no provision for that therefore 20 could be commended only if self-supporting. Unfortunately, national data showed that such compliance was low when not supported by such measures. There were no concerns regarding to the new toucan crossing and the proposed 30 mph speed limit.

Mr Dryden endorsed the comments made by Mr Stibbe regarding extension of the 20mph restriction. However, he had a number of concerns namely:

·                     Extension of the 20mph speed limit beyond the Waitrose frontage should be implemented now and not delayed until the as yet unfunded Phase 2.

·                     Retention of the eastbound bus stop at its current location outside the pedestrian entrance to Waitrose and not moving it 62 metres to the east as proposed as that would result in bus users having to cross additional vehicle routes including 2 driveways and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83/19

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/135

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE5).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce and amend waiting restrictions and disabled persons parking places (DPPP) at Samphire Road, Oxford put forward as part of an improvement scheme for the road funded by Oxford City Council, who own and manage most of the adjacent residential premises. The scheme will create 19 on-street and 17 off-street parking places but require removal of two existing on-street DPPPs. However, a new on-street DPPP is being created on the highway very close to the location of one of the bays being removed and similarly a DPPP is also being provided on each of the off-road parking areas at the west end of the road very close to the other bay being removed.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposed no waiting at any time restrictions and a disabled persons parking place at Samphire Road, Oxford as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE5) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce and amend waiting restrictions and disabled persons parking places (DPPP) at Samphire Road, Oxford put forward as part of an improvement scheme for the road and funded by Oxford City Council, who own and manage most of the adjacent residential premises. The scheme was intended to create 19 on-street and 17 off-street parking places but require removal of two existing on-street DPPPs. However, a new on-street DPPP would be created on the highway very close to the location of one of the bays being removed and similarly a DPPP would also be provided on each of the off-road parking areas at the west end of the road very close to the other bay being removed.

Noting this was a City Council funded scheme and that although there had been 2 objections there would be no overall loss of parking but the gain of 1 space the Cabinet Member for Environment having regard to the information set out in the report before her confirmed her decision as follows :

to approve proposed no waiting at any time restrictions and a disabled persons parking place at Samphire Road, Oxford as advertised.

Signed…………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………..

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/124

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE5).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a puffin crossing on the B430 Station Road put forward as a result of an adjacent residential development.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed introduction of a puffin crossing (a signalled crossing for pedestrians) on the B430 Station Road at Ardley.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE6) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a puffin crossing on the B430 Station Road put forward as a result of an adjacent residential development.

Councillor Ian Corking the local member had emailed his support and pointing out that this crossing would be essential to the safety of residents of this much needed rural exception site.

Noting the information set out in the officer report together with the support of the local member the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as follows:

approve the proposed introduction of a puffin crossing (a signalled crossing for pedestrians) on the B430 Station Road at Ardley.

Signed…………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/181

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE7).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a zebra crossing on Oxford Lane Grove put forward due to a School Crossing Patrol at this location being withdrawn and no candidates applying in the course of a recruitment to fill the post and also noting the significant number of pedestrians crossing here, particularly at school journey times, together with the increased traffic flows due to residential development in the village.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed introduction of a zebra crossing on Oxford Lane, Grove.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE7) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a zebra crossing on Oxford Lane Grove put forward due to a School Crossing Patrol at this location being withdrawn and no candidates applying in the course of a recruitment to fill the post and also noting the significant number of pedestrians crossing here, particularly at school journey times, together with the increased traffic flows due to residential development in the village.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby spoke in support of the proposal on what was a very busy road. The expectation was that levels of traffic would increase including buses as a result of the new development on Grove airfield. She accepted there had been some objections but the school were trying to encourage parents tot to use cars and she hoped that could be supported.

Acknowledging the high level of support including that of the local member the Cabinet Member for Environment having regard to the information in the report before her confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve introduction of a zebra crossing on Oxford Lane, Grove as adverised.

Signed……………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/165

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE8).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to provide cycle bypasses at the existing traffic calming build outs on the High Street at Long Wittenham put forward following an OCC audit and stakeholder liaison in 2012 to determine what shortcomings there were in the Science Vale area, identify those areas and propose solutions for improvement where possible. These ranged from small to large and from low to high cost and complexity and following feasibility and design phases the bypasses proposed here have been recommended as relatively small and low-cost solutions to improve the current situation and safety in this area but with high potential benefits.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed provision of cycle bypasses at the traffic calming build outs on the High Street at Long Wittenham.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE8) responses received to a statutory consultation to provide cycle bypasses at the existing traffic calming build outs on the High Street at Long Wittenham put forward following an OCC audit and stakeholder liaison in 2012 to determine what shortcomings there were in the Science Vale area, identify those areas and propose solutions for improvement where possible.

Mr Kirkwood confirmed that notwithstanding the concerns expressed regarding width of the cycle bypasses he felt that there would be a real benefit for cyclists while not precluding the future environmental enhancements that the Parish Council were proposing for the village. A preliminary safety check had not identified any issues and a further safety check would also be carried out.

The Cabinet Member for Environment noted that the Parish Council had objected on width grounds but having regard to the safety checks already carried out and future post implantation checks proposed she was happy to confirm her decision, having regard to the information in the report before her and the representations made to her at the meeting as follows:

to approve the proposed provision of cycle bypasses at the traffic calming build outs on the High Street at Long Wittenham.

Signed…………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/068

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE9).

The report sets out responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to introduce a 30mph speed limit on Hen and Chick Lane and the unnamed road to the B4477 at Shilton. It should be noted that a previous consultation on a proposed 40mph speed limit on these roads was carried out in May 2019 but the responses to this indicated that a 30mph was favoured by the local community. The proposals have been put forward at the request of County Councillor Field-Johnson and County Councillor Handley and, if approved, would be funded from their respective Councillor Priority Fund.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the 30mph speed limit on Hen and Chick Lane and the unnamed road to the B4477 at Shilton as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE8) responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to introduce a 30mph speed limit on Hen and Chick Lane and the unnamed road to the B4477 at Shilton. A previous consultation on a proposed 40mph speed limit on these roads had been carried out in May 2019 but the responses to that had indicated that a 30mph was favoured by the local community. The current proposal had been put forward at the request of County Councillor Field-Johnson and County Councillor Handley and, if approved, would be funded from their respective Councillor Priority Fund.

Mr Kirkwood highlighted the objection from Thames valley Police which had some basis.  This was a minor route and was a question of balance between the concerns expressed and the support of the local community.  He added that there were some issues regarding funding which needed to be resolved.

Acknowledging those points and having regard to the information set out in the report before her the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the 30mph speed limit on Hen and Chick Lane and the unnamed road to the B4477 at Shilton as advertisedsubject to satisfactory resolution  of funding issues.

Signed………………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………………

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/154

Contact: Hugh Potter, Team Leader – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704

Report Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE10).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce amended waiting restrictions and parking places at Priory Lane, Burford put forward as a result of approved changes to vehicle access to adjacent land and comprising the removal of two car parking places adjacent to the existing coach parking and removal of a length of double yellow line to provide an additional car parking space to the east of the access to the primary school.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposed amended no waiting at any time restrictions and parking places at Priory Lane as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE10) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce amended waiting restrictions and parking places at Priory Lane, Burford put forward as a result of approved changes to vehicle access to adjacent land and comprising the removal of two car parking places adjacent to the existing coach parking and removal of a length of double yellow line to provide an additional car parking space to the east of the access to the primary school.

The Cabinet Member acknowledged the high level of objection to this proposal but also that the proposal was giving effect to a planning condition attached a to a permission for development.  Effectively it was the loss of one space and so having regard to that along with the information set out in the report before her she confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve proposed amended no waiting at any time restrictions and parking places at Priory Lane as advertised.

Signed……………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………….