Agenda, decisions and minutes

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.

Councillor Emily Smith

 There was a consultation on cycle paths on Bath Street in Abingdon a few months ago that proposed minimal changes. Some of the white lines have been painted on but do not seem to be in line with OCC standards in terms or width and local residents are concerned that the new lines are actually more dangerous for people on bikes - please can you ensure these lines are inspected and corrected immediately?  Now you have greater powers to improve road layouts to increase cycling and walking to aid social distancing, please can you look again at Bath Street in Abingdon and consider removing the car parking to make space for a safe and segregated cycle way into the town centre?"

Response by Cabinet Member for Environment

 I can confirm that the refurbishment of the existing markings were carried out under routine maintenance works and were therefore reinstated as previously marked.  The S278 improvement works for cycle lanes have been technically approved but the legal agreement is not in place yet. These works are linked to the proposed roundabout improvements and David Wilson Homes (DWH)  site on Wootton Road and Dunmore Road which have not yet had reserved matters approval from Planning. Until these are in place DWH cannot produce a programme of work and implementation dates for the cycle lane improvements. It is further complicated by the current COVID 19 pandemic with the project manager for these schemes at DWH being furloughed at present.  The Council is currently reviewing options across the public realm to respond to COVID-19. This does include walking and cycling responses and your suggestions for Bath Street will be taken into consideration as part of the review.  

Councillor Smith

Thank you for that response.  How might local members and members of the public influence the programme of works that might be taken forward and whether not amendments to it could be considered.

Response by Cabinet Member for Environment

Although this is a shared responsibility between County and District Council planning issues were, however, a matter for the District Council so you as local member and indeed members of the public would be advised to approach the District Council in that regard.  In principle amendments could be made to a scheme through some additional measures but that would be a matter going forward.

This Cabinet Member for Environment Delegated Decisions meeting will be held remotely in order to conform with current guidelines regarding social distancing.  Normally requests to speak at this public meeting are required by 9 am on the day preceding the published date of the meeting.  However, during the current situation and to facilitate these new arrangements we are asking that requests to speak are submitted by no later than 9am four working days before the meeting i.e. 9 am on Friday 15^th May. Requests to speak should be sent to graham.warrington@oxfordshire.gov.uk together with a written statement of your presentation to ensure that if the technology fails then 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.

Where a meeting is held remotely and the addressee is unable to participate remotely their written submission will be accepted.

Written submissions should be no longer than 1 A4 sheet.

None declared.

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/082

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

Report by the Interim Director of Community Operations (CMDE4).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit within Burford in place of the existing 30mph speed limit, a 30mph speed limit on the A40 from just east of its junction with Tanners Lane to just east of its junction with the B4020 Shilton Road and on the A361 south of the A40 to just south of the access to Burford School in place of the existing 40mph speed limit. It is also proposed to extend the 40mph speed limits on the A40 and A361 to create an appropriate length of transitional speed limits on the approaches to the proposed 30mph limits on these roads. Additionally, the proposals included provision of a signalled crossing for pedestrians (a puffin crossing) on the A40 just to the east of the existing footbridge as a replacement for the latter.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed reduced speed limits at Burford as advertised but with consideration being given to reducing the extent of the proposed 20mph speed limit on the A361 The Hill, but to defer a decision on the installation of a puffin crossing (a signalled crossing for pedestrians) on the A40 by Burford School in place of the existing footbridge.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE4) a report setting out responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 20mph speed limit within Burford in place of the existing 30mph speed limit, a 30mph speed limit on the A40 from just east of its junction with Tanners Lane to just east of its junction with the B4020 Shilton Road and on the A361 south of the A40 to just south of the access to Burford School in place of the existing 40mph speed limit. It was also proposed to extend the 40mph speed limits on the A40 and A361 to create an appropriate length of transitional speed limits on the approaches to the proposed 30mph limits on these roads.

Additionally, the proposals had included provision of a signalled crossing for pedestrians (a puffin crossing) on the A40 just to the east of the existing footbridge as a replacement for the latter but reflecting the strong opposition to that element a recommendation had been made to defer a decision on provision of the footbridge.

The Cabinet Member noted two submissions of support from John White the Mayor of Burford and the local County Councillor Nick Field-Johnston for the speed limits and deferral of the crossing.  That reflected the level of responses received locally.

Having regard to the information set out in the report before her and the submissions made to her at the meeting the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the proposed reduced speed limits at Burford as advertised but with consideration being given to reducing the extent of the proposed 20mph speed limit on the A361 The Hill, but to defer a decision on the installation of a puffin crossing (a signalled crossing for pedestrians) on the A40 by Burford School in place of the existing footbridge.

Signed………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/019

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

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

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 prioritising sustainable transport modes to ease congestion, reduce journey times and improve journey experience.The project includes 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 improving air quality.

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

The principal elements of the scheme were approved at the Cabinet Member for Environment decisions meeting on 19 December 2020 following a consultation in the autumn of 2019. At that meeting, however, it was agreed to carry out a consultation on an extended length of 20mph speed limit to that originally proposed.  This report considers the results of that consultation.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposals as advertised

The principal elements of the Botley Road Improvement scheme had been approved at the Cabinet Member for Environment delegated decisions meeting on 19 December 2020 following a consultation in the autumn of 2019. At that meeting, however, it was agreed to carry out a consultation on an extended length of 20mph speed limit to that originally proposed.  This report (CMDE5) considered the results of that consultation.

County Councillor Susanna Pressel had advised by email that she had been lobbied by many people in her division over the years to have a 20mph speed limit on Botley Road. That included a massive petition presented to Cabinet in April 2018 and she and many others were delighted with this proposal to extend it beyond Binsey Lane. Supporting the extension she had added the further a 20 mph extension reached along the road the better.

County Councillor Judy Roberts wholeheartedly supported the proposal and agreed with the principle of 20mph traffic through residential areas even when they were major routes. This would improve the residential experience by improving local accessibility, reducing noise and air pollution. The main reason for extending the 20 mph area was because there was a small distance of 30 mph just before a crossing. And now phase 1.5 is all 20mph. However, as there was a pedestrian crossing between Duke Street and Earl Street planned for phase 1.4 with a small section of 30 mph leading to it the same principle should surely apply for that phase. She felt that this reinforced the case for the whole length of the Botley Road Corridor to become a 20 mph Zone making it viable to introduce average speed cameras to enforce the speed limit.

Recognising the issue raised by Councillor Roberts the Cabinet Member asked officers to investigate how that could be rectified and having regard to the information set out in the report before her and the representations made to her at the meeting confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the proposals as advertised and ask to investigate extending the 20 mph limit between Duke Street and Earl Street.

Signed…………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………..

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/018

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

Report by the Interim Director for Community Operations (CMDE6).

The Access to Headington project includes 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.

Following the first formal consultation on the project in 2016, a request to extend the 20mph speed limit – which currently applies only to the northernmost part of the road - to include the whole road was accepted, resulting in a formal consultation in 2017.That was then approved at the Cabinet Member for Environment meeting on 7 September 2017. However, due to delays in progressing the project a re-consultation was required due to it being beyond two years since the first formal consultation.  The report considers the results of the re-consultation.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposals as advertised but to include also the adjacent signalled junction of Windmill Road with The Slade and Old Road.

As part of the Access to Headington project a request to extend the 20mph speed limit, which currently applied only to the northernmost part of Windmill Road, to include the whole road had been accepted, resulting in a formal consultation in 2017. That had then been approved at the Cabinet Member for Environment meeting on 7 September 2017. However, due to delays in progressing the project a re-consultation was required due to it being beyond two years since the first formal consultation.  The report (CMDE6) considered the results of the re-consultation which had also included the adjacent signalled junction of Windmill Road with The Slade and Old Road.

Councillor Roz Smith had written advising that there was a lot of support for reducing vehicle speeds in Windmill Road and her delight that the 20mph speed limit had been recommended for agreement and she urged the Cabinet Member to support that recommendation.

Noting the objection from Thames Valley Police the Cabinet Member recognised that these proposals were being introduced county wide at the request of local councils and residents and there was strong local support here as well including the local member. Taking the view that his proposal could only improve safety and having regard to the information set out in the report before her and the representations made to her at the meeting confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the proposals as advertised but to include also the adjacent signalled junction of Windmill Road with The Slade and Old Road.

Signed………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/134

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

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

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to introduce waiting restrictions at Sher Afzal Close, Oxford put forward as a result of development of the former Cowley Swimming Pool site for residential purposes.

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

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE7) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce waiting restrictions at Sher Afzal Close, Oxford put forward as a result of development of the former Cowley Swimming Pool site for residential purposes.

Supporting the proposal Councillor Sanders had concerns regarding enforcement in the absence of a controlled parking zone but, in the circumstances, this seemed a reasonable compromise.

The Cabinet Member recognised that a CPZ for the Temple Cowley area had been included in the wider CPZ programme for Oxford and sources of funding for that were being carried out.  There had been 4 objections regarding loss of parking and pressure from displaced vehicles but the issue of parking provision had been carefully reviewed as part of the planning process for the residential development in the Close. She noted the proposals were being funded by the developer.  Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report before her and the representations made to her at the meeting the Cabinet Member confirmed her decision as follows:

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

Signed………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/174

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

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

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a length of no waiting at any time restriction and amended daytime permit holder parking places (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) due to the development of adjacent land

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposed no waiting at any time restrictions and parking places by number 53 Sunderland Avenue as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE8) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a length of no waiting at any time restriction and amended daytime permit holder parking places (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) due to the development of adjacent land required by a change to an existing property and its access arrangements and funded by the developer.

County Councillor Paul Buckley had not objected to the proposals.

The Cabinet Member for Environment having regard to the information set out in the report and the representations made to her at the meeting confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve proposed no waiting at any time restrictions and parking places by number 53 Sunderland Avenue as advertised.

Signed……………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………………

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/177

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

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

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to introduce waiting restrictions at The Oval and Desborough Crescent, Oxford put forward as a result of the development of adjacent land for residential development.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposed no waiting at any time restrictions at The Oval and Desborough Crescent, Oxford subject to consulting with the local member and bus operators on a possible reduction in their extent to address concerns over the possible unnecessary loss of parking places.

The Cabinet Member considered (CMDE9) responses received to a statutory consultation on a proposal to introduce waiting restrictions at The Oval and Desborough Crescent, Oxford put forward as a result of the development of adjacent land for residential development.

Michael Kelly a local resident strongly objected to suggested parking restrictions surrounding the Oval and Desborough Crescent. Visitors and residents have to park somewhere and with new houses currently being built oval considered the situation would only get worse.

County Councillor Gill Sanders advised that the original proposal put forward by County Officers had been to introduce parking restrictions on the whole of the Oval. However, a revised proposal from James Graham of Oxford City Council recommending retention of parking over a large part of the outer ring of The Oval – against the pavement had her support along with fellow City Councillors for Rose Hill.  There had never been any problems with parking on The Oval and it was important to retain this for the use of visitors to the area.  She endorsed comments submitted by some of the local residents opposing any parking restrictions. She did not oppose the installation of double yellows around the grassed area at the centre of The Oval – although, in her 20 years working in Rose Hill she had never seen a car parked there and there was ample room for buses to drive around the Oval – even when cars are parked there as the road was very wide.

Noting the strong objections to the proposal the Cabinet Member recognised the merit of the revised scheme as put forward by Councillor Sanders and city council representatives which had taken account the local feeling and history of the area. Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report before her and the representations made to her at the meeting the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve a revised scheme as suggested by the local county councillor in conjunction with representatives of the City Council for a less restrictive scheme for parking along a large part of the outer ring of the Oval against the pavement noting that any final scheme would follow consultation with the local member and bus operators.

Signed……………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/136

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

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

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a length of no waiting at any time restriction at Warren Crescent in place of the existing permit holder only bays Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm due to the development of adjacent land put forward as a result of the development of adjacent land for housing, which will require construction of new accesses to the development.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposed no waiting at any time restrictions in Warren Crescent as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE10) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a length of no waiting at any time restriction at Warren Crescent in place of the existing permit holder only bays Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm due to the development of adjacent land for housing and the requirement for the construction of new accesses to the development.

Having regard to the information set lout in the report before her the Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve proposed no waiting at any time restrictions in Warren Crescent as advertised.

Signed………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………….

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/182

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

Report by the Interim Director for Community Operations (CMDE11).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce waiting restrictions at Kirby Place and Don Bosco Close, Oxford put forward as a result of concerns received from residents and City Council members about parked vehicles obstructing the relatively narrow sections of both Kirby Place and Don Bosco Close. This is a particular problem with larger service vehicles particularly in Kirby Place where the refuse vehicle is often prevented from accessing the road.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve proposed no waiting at any time restrictions at Kirby Place and Don Bosco Close, Oxford as advertised.

The Cabinet member for Environment considered (CMDE11) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce waiting restrictions at Kirby Place and Don Bosco Close, Oxford put forward as a result of concerns received from residents and City Council members about parked vehicles obstructing the relatively narrow sections of both Kirby Place and Don Bosco Close particularly larger service vehicles chiefly Kirby Place where the refuse vehicle was often prevented from accessing the road.

City Councillor Saj Malik thanked city & county officers for their work in processing this and meeting me on the site more than once and on behalf of local residents urged the Cabinet Member to approve the report. The double yellow lines were very important for public safety and not just to alleviate any nuisance for residents whose driveways were frequently blocked especially those on emergency call outs. There were also problems for waste collection lorries accessing Kirby place because of parking requiring city refuse staff to drag and every single bin to Temple road and then return them.  Most importantly there could be access problems for emergency service vehicles. Approving the scheme will benefit all the above and residents.

County Councillor John Sanders supported the proposal which would help resolve issues pending a CPZ in the area.

The Cabinet Member noted the objections but considered the scheme would benefit residents and alleviate concerns regarding access for emergency vehicles.  Therefore, having regard tom the information in the report and the representations made to her at the meeting she confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve proposed no waiting at any time restrictions at Kirby Place and Don Bosco Close, Oxford as advertised.

Signed……………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………………

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/049

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

Report by Interim Director for Community Operations (CMDE12).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a zebra crossing on Morrell Avenue, Oxford put forward and funded by Oxford City Council.

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

The Cabinet Member considered (CMDE12) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a zebra crossing on Morrell Avenue, Oxford put forward and funded by Oxford City Council.

City Councillor Tom Hayes spoke as one of two elected city councillors for St Clement’s Ward alongside County Councillor Jamila Azad. During his time as a Councillor he had been made aware of the concerns surrounding the volume of traffic and speeding, and the resulting effects of air pollution, reduced safety, and less liveable spaces come up every session. The issue of provision had been ongoing for many years. However, the vast majority agreeing on the need for a crossing did not mean there was a vast majority in favour of one location for it although everyone who had provided a view has done so with the public interest uppermost in their minds. While supportive of the proposal he recognised that it would be unlikely to receive full support but once the crossing had been installed and the material benefits felt, seen, and heard, he believed that people would be persuaded of its merits. With the pandemic response reaching into a new phase, he was concerned about the potential move away from using public transport to private cars and vans which of on a significant scale could significantly affect Morrell Avenue. He supported installation of the crossing with proper signage and hoped that the County Council could install cycling infrastructure and coloured cycle lanes on Morrell Avenue, to further encourage people to make use of active and sustainable transport modes.

County Councillor Jamila Azad Morrell Avenue Crossing had been sought by residents of Morrell Avenue for last twenty years. It was a very steep Road with 240 houses, many driveways and trees on both sides. Traffic travelled very fast coming from Headington through Warneford Road into Divinity Road and Morrell Avenue and it was now a rat run. There had been a lot of accidents on this road with people driving at more than 40mph even though there was a 20mph speed limit and flashing lights to slow them down. Because of the number of driveways and trees on this road feasibility studies had been carried out twice which had found this to be the only suitable place to have a crossing because of schools, language centres, playground and hospitals nearby. There are many elderly and disabled residents and parents with children living on this busy road and with 6 bus stops on both sides and there had been a big increase in traffic levels over the last 4 years and a crossing was desperately needed.

Noting that Cyclox, although not objecting in principle to the crossing, had objected to the width of the traffic lane, which they said did not comply with guidance issued by Transport for London in respect of lane widths and should be narrower than the proposed 3.5 metres the Cabinet Member accepted an officer response that the width at 3.5 metres was not regarded as hazardous and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12/20

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/188

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

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE13).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce and amend waiting restrictions on residential roads within Bicester where parking - in particular by commuters – is resulting in road safety and access problems for residents.  The proposals put forward following discussions and site meetings with officers and local members will be funded by developer contributions.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed waiting restrictions as advertised.

.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE13) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce and amend waiting restrictions on residential roads within Bicester where parking, in particular by commuters, was resulting in road safety and access problems for residents.  The proposals put forward following discussions and site meetings with officers and local members would be funded by developer contributions.

The Cabinet Member noted the following statement received from Steve and Louise Dixon, local residents who had during the consultation sent their broad approval for the proposed parking restrictions but with a concern regarding the different timings for each side of the road and how that might not solve the issue (as most of the parked vehicles belong to staff from nearby Eden Cars who could just switch sides at the appropriate time). They were pleased to see that that concern had been addressed in the report. However, in their additional submission they had asked about the possibility of resident permits being provided to allow a second household vehicle or visitor’s car to park outside their house during the restricted hours as none of the residents’ homes, including their own, was adjacent to the area of dangerous parking at the top of the road at the junction with Buckingham Road. Family/visitor parking would therefore not affect the passage of traffic entering and leaving the road in any way whatsoever. As the intention is to extend the restricted parking some way into the avenue this would be a big issue for them as they only had for one car on their drive. If we are unable to have a resident’s permit one of our household vehicles would have to be parked outside a fellow resident’s property a long way from our home causing inconvenience to them. Also they noted that a few residents had suggested double yellow lines on the road which they felt should be disregarded completely.

Rachael Shaer spoke as a resident of Browning Drive for nearly 20 years. Their  home was just outside the proposed waiting restriction zone along Browning Drive and near the Kingsley Road /Bunyan Road junction and 2 houses from Harts Veterinary centre on Browning Drive. She stated that in all the time she had lived there she had never witnessed severe parking issues in the proposed area. She accepted that there would be increased vehicles and parking having a parade of shops and a veterinary centre close by that consisted of  very short term parking and as there were no houses directly impacted she could not see an issue. She objected strongly to the proposed waiting restrictions being put in place for two main reasons. Firstly, if this went ahead then cars which could not access Harts Vet small car park would then not be able to park where they currently do which was generally on Browning Drive in the proposed waiting restriction zone. Although near the junction that was very wide with good vision and provided ample parking on a long stretch of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13/20

Forward Plan Ref: 2019/173

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

Report by Director for Community Operations (Interim) (CMDE14).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to provide amended traffic calming measures (originally installed in 1990 as a safety scheme) as a result of a major maintenance scheme for the road The amendments put forward by the Area traffic team in consultation with the local member and other officers will be funded by the Oxfordshire County Council major maintenance programme.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed amended traffic calming measures on Northcourt Road, Abingdon as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE14) responses received to a statutory consultation to provide amended traffic calming measures (originally installed in 1990 as a safety scheme) as a result of a major maintenance scheme for the road The amendments put forward by the Area traffic team in consultation with the local member and other officers would be funded by the Oxfordshire County Council major maintenance programme.

Graham Paul Smith, Cycling UK had submitted comments setting out concerns regarding the scheme. He considered it should not be approved in its present state and listed a number of issues including its design which he considered would fail at reducing speed and be less effective than the current scheme and likely to speed-up motor traffic. The face-to-face consultation had seemed inadequate for a roadwith many frontages and mixed uses, particularly at the Oxford Road end. A top-down Highways schemeapproach was not appropriate for a residential street with two schools, a College and two community centres, two shops and a Public House. It would worsen the environment for cycling, contrary to County Policy and he considered that the proposal squandered Major Maintenance Scheme money, focusing merely upon reconstruction.

Robin Tucker spoke on behalf of Oxfordshire Cycling Network and as an Abingdon resident. They hadobjected to the proposals because they failed to consider the context of the street, safety and the Council’s policy to encourage modal shift to low carbon transport and make the street less safe. Northcourt Road was a residential street with a Nursery, Primary School, Secondary School, Further Education College, Community Centre, café, 2 shops and a pub all directly accessed from the road.  It was very busy at school times with evidence of ‘rat running’ between Wootton Road and Oxford Road, and antisocial driving.  The current measures were insufficient to assure safety and Crashmap.co.uk had shown 8 Incidents in only 5 years. In 4 of them a cyclist had been a casualty, in 3 a pedestrian was a casualty and in 3 a child had been a casualty. All this on a residential road ½ a mile long.  The proposal replaced 5 full-width humps that were only comfortable at 20mph, with speed cushions that can be driven over in many cars at 30mph hardly feeling a thing. It would encourage people to buy wider cars, increase speeds and, therefore, danger on this street, even before you considered what happens when children return to school all trying to stay 2 metres away from each other. Contrary to the officer’s report, there were only 3 (14%) of consultation responses in support. One was supporting their proposal of a speed reduction to 20mph.  The Police noted the ineffectiveness of speed cushions at slowing motorcycles.  Additionally, 17 (81%) of responses to the consultation objected or raised concerns. In the last several weeks, Northcourt Road had been transformed with a surge in families walking and cycling together to take their daily exercise.  They would like to keep that when children returned to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14/20

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/013

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

Report by the Interim Director for Community Operations (CMDE15).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a puffin crossing on the A338 at East Hanney put forward as a result of calls from the parish council following numerous requests from parishioners.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed introduction of a puffin crossing (a signalled crossing for pedestrians) on the A338 at East Hanney.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE15) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a puffin crossing on the A338 at East Hanney put forward as a result of calls from the parish council following numerous requests from parishioners.

Councillor Anda Fitzgerald-O’Connor had expressed her full support for the scheme along with the East Hanney Parish Council.

Noting the developer funding for the scheme and the strong local support including the local member and parish council and having regard to the information as set pout in the report the Cabinet Member confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the proposed introduction of a puffin crossing (a signalled crossing for pedestrians) on the A338 at East Hanney.

Signed…………………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………………

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/006

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

Report by the Interim Director for Community Operations (CMDE16).

The report presents responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 50mph speed limit on the entire length of the A424 Burford to Stow road within Oxfordshire put forward following a review of the recent accident history – including several accidents resulting in fatal injury – and, if approved, would be funded by the Road Safety budget within the County Council’s Capital programme.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the 50mph speed limit as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE16) responses received to a statutory consultation to introduce a 50mph speed limit on the entire length of the A424 Burford to Stow road within Oxfordshire put forward following a review of the recent accident history, including several accidents resulting in fatal injury, and, if approved, to be funded by the Road Safety budget within the County Council’s Capital programme.

CountyCouncillor Nick Field-Johnson had expressed his full support for the 50mph speed limit as there has been several fatal accidents at the bottom of the hill by Burford.

Noting that there had been 3 objections based on need for it and whether the limit might be counter-productive if it resulted in driver frustration the Cabinet Member noted that the report indicated that the limit was considered to be consistent with DFT guidelines on setting local speed limits.  Acknowledging the comments submitted by the local member with regard to the number of accidents and having regard to the information set out in the report she confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the 50mph speed limit as advertised.

Signed………………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………………

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/007

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

Report by the Interim Director for Community Operations (CMDE17).

The report presents responses to a statutory consultation to revoke the structural weight limit at A4095 Pidnell Bridge prohibiting the passage of track laying vehicles and vehicles with an axle weight exceeding 6 tonnes put forward as a result of a review of structural weight limits following maintenance of the A4095 Pidnell Bridge which has strengthened the bridge sufficiently to remove the above restrictions.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the revocation of the structural weight limit at A4095 Pidnell Bridge.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE17) responses to a statutory consultation to revoke the structural weight limit at A4095 Pidnell Bridge prohibiting the passage of track laying vehicles and vehicles with an axle weight exceeding 6 tonnes put forward as a result of a review of structural weight limits following maintenance of the A4095 Pidnell Bridge which had strengthened the bridge sufficiently to remove the above restrictions.

Councillor Hudith Heathcoat had expressed her support for the proposal.

Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report the Cabinet member confirmed her decision as follows:

to approve the revocation of the structural weight limit at A4095 Pidnell Bridge and noting that this was for removal of the heavier structural restriction and not the 7.5 tonne limit.

Signed……………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………………