Agenda item

Forward Plan Ref: 2018/166

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

Report by Director for Infrastructure Operations (CMDE4).

The report presents responses to feedback received during a statutory consultation on the Growth Deal funded proposals to enhance pedestrian and cycle crossings of Marsh Lane, Marston and Oxford Road, Littlemore, both with associated sections of connecting shared use footway/cycleway.  In the case of Marsh Lane, this involves upgrading an existing Pelican crossing to a Toucan and introducing raised side road entry treatments across Elms Drive and Horseman Close at their junctions with Marsh Lane.

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

(a)          a Toucan crossing on Marsh Lane, Marston with connecting sections of shared use footway/cycleway and raised side road junctions; and

(b)          an improved crossing island on Oxford Road, Littlemore at the junction of Newman Road with associated sections of shared use footway/cycleway on Newman Road.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE4) a Growth Deal funded proposal to enhance pedestrian and cycle crossings of Marsh Lane, Marston and Oxford Road, Littlemore, both with associated sections of connecting shared use footway/cycleway.  In the case of Marsh Lane, that involved upgrading an existing Pelican crossing to a Toucan and introducing raised side road entry treatments across Elms Drive and Horseman Close at their junctions with Marsh Lane.

City Councillor John Tanner spoke in support of proposals to improve cycling in this area along with the crossing on Oxford Road and narrowing of Newman Road. However, he expressed some concern regarding that part of the scheme promoting shared use by cyclists of a section of pavement in a heavily used pedestrian area. Additionally that element of the scheme would be expensive when a cheaper alternative would be to paint a cycle line on the highway with the added advantage of encouraging cyclists onto the road.

Mr Rossington explained that the scheme would result in provision on the north side of a 3m wide path providing adequate provision for shared use. On the west side direction of travel should predominantly be one way.  This part of the network was recognised as a weak point on the ring road cycle track and the proposal for shared use would address that issue, making the onward route after widening more attractive and a better option for cyclists and provide better sight lines.  If shared use was not provided then some cyclists would dismount but in his view it was inevitable that others would not thereby increasing the potential for conflict on a narrow path.  The better option would be to enable controlled shared use.

Endorsing those comments Mr Kirkwood stated that in his experience this type of scheme represented the best way forward.  That view was supported by data as well as observational evidence which showed that for shared use incidents of conflict weren’t high. The point raised by Councillor Tanner suggesting a cycle lane on the highway could conceivably work well in an east bound direction but not westbound.  There were lots of local journeys and if there was no segregation through a shared use path then many cyclists would cycle on the path with resultant conflict.

Officers confirmed that there would be inadequate time to explore an alternative scheme as suggested by Councillor Tanner as the Growth Deal finance for the scheme need to be used soon but the provision of bollards could help in encouraging cyclists back onto the highway.

The Cabinet Member was sympathetic to the difficulties that could be caused  from sharing space with cyclists but acknowledged that the shared use space in this case would be limited to a short section,  that management of that use could be assisted through the provision of bollards and that the scheme would meet design standards and had worked well elsewhere.  There would be benefits as well for other users and so having regard to the information set out in the report before her and the representations made to her and responses from officers at the meeting she confirmed her decision as follows: 

to approve the advertised proposals for:

(a)      a Toucan crossing on Marsh Lane, Marston with connecting sections of shared use footway/cycleway and raised side road junctions; and

(b)      an improved crossing island on Oxford Road, Littlemore at the junction of Newman Road with associated sections of shared use footway/cycleway on Newman Road.

Signed…………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………