Agenda item

Forward Plan Ref: 2020/056

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 traffic calming buildout and narrow the width of part of Gillotts Lane, Harpsden put forward in conjunction with Harpsden Parish Council, who have undertaken to part fund the project in conjunction with the County Council’s highway maintenance budget subject to approval being given to proceed with the scheme.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED to approve the proposed introduction of a traffic calming buildout and carriageway narrowing at Gillotts Lane, Harpsden, as advertised.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE7) presents received to a statutory consultation to introduce a traffic calming buildout and narrow the width of part of Gillotts Lane, Harpsden put forward in conjunction with Harpsden Parish Council, who had undertaken to part fund the project in conjunction with the County Council’s highway maintenance budget subject to approval being given to proceed with the scheme.

County Councillor David Bartholomew advised that the poor state of repair of Gillotts Lane had been of great concern to residents, Harpsden Parish Council and him for many years. The level of concern had risen when planning permission had been granted for almost 200 new houses at Highlands Park near the top of the lane. Gillotts Lane was the natural route for all traffic for the new estate coming from the south, meaning that not only repairs but also traffic calming measures were required. Over the last two and a half years he had been in extended discussions with residents, the parish council and Oxfordshire County Council officers to come up with a solution to the problem that was broadly acceptable to all parties and although there had been some conflict the scheme before you today was that solution and he urged that it be approved.  Also relevant was that Harpsden Parish Council was using CIL monies from the development to make a very significant contribution to the costs of the scheme. He also asked that passing spaces be signed appropriately to protect their integrity as passing spaces.

County Councillor Stefan Gawrysiak had sent in his wholehearted support for this traffic calming scheme which was long overdue. We had a new 170 home housing estate which was contributing the S106 money and the increased traffic down this narrow lane. Traffic calming was required for two reasons. To protect the village of Harpsden from excess traffic and also to slow and calm the speed of cars down this narrow country lane. There had been a number of accidents here and providing safe passing places would go some way towards making this road safe for car drivers, walkers and cyclists. He noted that Henley Town Council is also in favour.

The Cabinet Member asked officers to respond to the point made by the local member regarding signing for passing bays to prevent parking.

Officers advised that there was no real issue with regard to marking the bays and if that was what the parish council wanted then provision of lining or signing that could be looked at.  There would need to be a balance between what was put in and it being a rural setting but that could be discussed with the parish council and local member.

The Cabinet Member thanked Councillor Bartholomew for his work on this scheme in conjunction with officers and the parish council and therefore 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 the proposed introduction of a traffic calming buildout and carriageway narrowing at Gillotts Lane, Harpsden, as advertised while confirming that passing spaces should be marked as passing spaces only to prevent parked vehicles and officers decide in conjunction with the local member and parish council how that could be best achieved.

Signed…………………………………….

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing……………………………