Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Environment

Forward Plan Ref: 2017/064

Contact: Martin Kraftl, Principal Infrastructure Co-ordinator Tel: 07920 084336

Report by Director for Planning & Place (CA8).

This report summarises the results of the formal public consultation on the proposed experimental Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit buses, taxis and private hire vehicles from Queen Street, Oxford and amendments to permanent Traffic Regulation Orders on the surrounding network. Other proposals include amendments to bus stops and layover points, including bus stop clearways, adjustments to three key junctions and the installation of 5 no. zebra crossings. The report supplies recommendations and seeks approval on moving the project forward in a timely manner to achieve the desired delivery date of October 2017 to coincide with the opening of the re-developed Westgate.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)             consider the contents of this report, including the consultation responses received, in the context of the statutory framework as set out in Annex 5;

(b)             approve the proposal for an experimental TRO restricting bus, taxi and private hire access to Queen Street as advertised, subject to approval by the Secretary of State for Transport;

(c)             instruct officers to develop a monitoring framework for the experimental closure of Queen Street, in consultation with (amongst others) the bus operators, city council, and Cabinet Member for Environment;

(d)             instruct officers to continue to develop options for city centre bus routeing – including options for Queen Street – in partnership with Oxford City Council and bus operators and drawing on monitoring of the experimental closure when available;

(e)             approve the retention of the existing cycle access arrangements in Queen Street (cycling permitted 18:00 – 10:00);

(f)              approve the proposal for zebra crossings in St Aldate’s, Speedwell Street, New Road, Park End Street and Worcester Street as advertised;

(g)             approve the proposal for changes to loading, waiting and stopping in High Street and St Aldate’s as advertised;

(h)             approve the changes to bus stop clearways as advertised;

(i)               note that design changes may be made to the published proposals to deal with concerns raised in the consultation and as part of the safety audit process.  Certain changes may require further consultation.

Cabinet had before them a report summarising the results of the formal public consultation on the proposed experimental Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit buses, taxis and private hire vehicles from Queen Street, Oxford and amendments to permanent Traffic Regulation Orders on the surrounding network. Other proposals included amendments to bus stops and layover points, including bus stop clearways, adjustments to three key junctions and the installation of 5 no. zebra crossings. The report sought approval on moving the project forward in a timely manner to achieve the desired delivery date of October 2017 to coincide with the opening of the re-developed Westgate.

Barrie Finch, Oxfordshire NPC Group, commented that the Group would be looking for Councillor Constance to hold informal and to monitor the experiment with local bus groups, pedestrians etc. He suggested that the experiment would be better if it was an experimental opening rather than closure to buses and taxis. Referring to the consultation he felt that the responses had been cherry picked to give a particular picture. He added that there was a lack of detail and clarity in the report. For example there was no indication where bus stops would be sighted. There was a lack of consideration of the needs of the partially sighted, wheelchair users and the elderly.

Dan Levy, Cyclox, stated that whilst accepting that what was being proposed was an experiment, their Group would wish to see during part of the period an experimental trial of cyclists in Queen Street. He added that it was odd that a prime cycle route should be closed to cycles at any time but asked that if it was then serious consideration be given to a safe alternative route from the station to High Street. He welcomed the improvements to the teardrop but added that there were still technical issues requiring improvement. Dan Levy suggested that if looking at the whole area one solution would be to close one of either  Park End Street or Hyth Bridge Street to all except cycles or to make them a a one way system.

Sajad Khan, COTA, spoke in support of the taxi rank on Cornmarket which they saw as a vital improvement. The Group did not support the positioning of the rank on High Street which was too far down the road making it inaccessible. They would prefer to see a small rank for one or two taxi’s at the Cornmarket end of High Street. Sajid Khan also requested that consideration be given to a small rank on New Road for people exiting The Westgate Centre.

Graham Jones, ROX and the Oxford High Street Association spoke in support of the arguments put forward by the bus companies as to why Queen Street could not be pedestrianised as yet. He highlighted the congestion to High Street caused by additional buses using and stopping there. This would add to pollution levels and affect delivery times for businesses. Graham Jones also referred to safety issues on the High Street and St Aldates where traffic travelled at 20 miles/hour and queried what checks had occurred to compare these concerns with those for Queen Street where traffic travelled at 5 miles/hour.

Sara Fuge, Westgate Oxford Alliance, spoke in support of the experimental period for the proposals and was in strong support of the infrastructure improvements.

Phil Southall, Oxford Bus Company, spoke against the proposals referring to their consultation response. In particular he queried where the displaced buses were to go, when St Aldates was already one of the worst areas in the City for pollution. The proposals would lead to longer journey times and additional costs. He commented that buses and pedestrians had co-existed successfully on Queen Street for some years and the same happens elsewhere. He highlighted the problem of locating permanent bus stops outside the Covered Market where there was insufficient pavement space. He urged Cabinet to take into account the consultation responses and not to proceed. He suggested instead that the situation with buses be monitored over a six month period.

Martin Sutton, Stagecoach at Oxfordshire, supported the point made by Phil Southall. The company although in full support of pedestrianisation it was dependent on the provision of alternative arrangements, including adequate bus stops, waiting arrangements and provision for turning to the west of the city centre. He urged Cabinet to keep Queen Street open to buses with careful monitoring. He added that safety was important to them and that buses had a good record.

Sajjad Malik, as a taxi driver, spoke against the proposed siting of the taxi rank on High Street.

Councillor Paul Buckley, local councillor for Wolvercote & Summertown, commented that older people used to appreciate being able to get off the bus in Queen Street. He accepted that Queen Street needed to be pedestrianised but only if buses and taxis were able to get close. Councillor Buckley expressed surprise that this had not been built in to the scheme. He also spoke against the proposal to introduce taxis to Cornmarket. He supported a trial period but of one allowing buses in Queen Street to see the extent of the problem.

Councillor John Howson, local councillor for St Margaret’s, highlighted 2 aspects. Firstly with regard to the Worcester Street junction he asked that officers look at it again to ensure that the needs of pedestrians were taken into account. Secondly, Councillor Howson commented that the mix of tenants in Westgate has changed significantly and footfall projections should be treated with caution.

Councillor John Sanders, Shadow Cabinet Member for Environment spoke against the proposal to completely pedestrianise Queen Street stating that there was no evidence that buses and taxis would be dangerous to pedestrians, adding that there was no record of accidents when the space was shared by taxis and buses. Councillor Sanders referred to the impact of the proposals on other areas of the City Centre including St Aldates and Cornmarket.

Sue Halliwell, advised Cabinet that with regard to the consultation data the University had supported the proposals. The comments set against the proposals and attributed to the University came from individuals.

Councillor Hudspeth in moving the recommendations stated that the aspiration had always been to pedestrianise Queen Street, as set out in Transform Oxford. He emphasised that what was being recommended was an experimental order in order to gather data.

During  discussion Cabinet:

·         Queried the length of the experiment and heard that it was for up to 18 months but could be completed earlier if appropriate.

·           Highlighted the need to take into account the needs of users of the new library.

·         Emphasised the importance of developing a monitoring framework which they were advised would include aspects such as air quality, delay to buses, journey times and pedestrian flows.

·         Welcomed the continuation of work looking at options for bus routing.

·         Highlighted that the proposals were an experiment and that on balance they accepted the need to err on the side of caution when dealing with pedestrian safety.

RESOLVED:                        to:

(a)             consider the contents of this report, including the consultation responses received, in the context of the statutory framework as set out in Annex 5;

(b)             approve the proposal for an experimental TRO restricting bus, taxi and private hire access to Queen Street as advertised, subject to approval by the Secretary of State for Transport;

(c)             instruct officers to develop a monitoring framework for the experimental closure of Queen Street, in consultation with (amongst others) the bus operators, city council, and Cabinet Member for Environment;

(d)             instruct officers to continue to develop options for city centre bus routeing – including options for Queen Street – in partnership with Oxford City Council and bus operators and drawing on monitoring of the experimental closure when available;

(e)             approve the retention of the existing cycle access arrangements in Queen Street (cycling permitted 18:00 – 10:00);

(f)              approve the proposal for zebra crossings in St Aldate’s, Speedwell Street, New Road, Park End Street and Worcester Street as advertised;

(g)             approve the proposal for changes to loading, waiting and stopping in High Street and St Aldate’s as advertised;

(h)             approve the changes to bus stop clearways as advertised;

(i)               note that design changes may be made to the published proposals to deal with concerns raised in the consultation and as part of the safety audit process.  Certain changes may require further consultation.