Forward Plan Ref: 2020/188

Contact: Hugh Potter, Group Manager – Area Operations Hub Tel: 07766 998704/Naomi Barnes, Project Manager Tel: 07824 528681

Report by Assistant Director Growth & Place, Communities (CMDE6).

The report outlines responses received to a formal consultation on statutory and legal measures required to proceed with the Witney active travel scheme. These measures include a 20mph speed limit, toucan crossings and legal conversion to shared use footway/cycle tracks. The Witney active travel scheme in its entirety will be reported separately to the Director of Growth and Economy, under delegated authority, on 26 February for implementation decision subject to the public consultation and available funding.

The Cabinet Member for Environment is RECOMMENDED:

a)        to approve the proposed 20mph speed limit, toucan crossings and shared use footway / cycle tracks as advertised as permanent measures;

b)        to approve the introduction of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for the removal of car parking on at 146 - 152 Corn Street, Witney.

The Cabinet Member for Environment considered (CMDE6) responses received to a formal consultation on statutory and legal measures required to proceed with the Witney active travel scheme which included a 20mph speed limit, toucan crossings and legal conversion to shared use footway/cycle tracks. The Witney active travel scheme in its entirety would be reported separately to the Director of Growth and Economy, under delegated authority, on 26 February for implementation decision subject to the public consultation and available funding.

Mark Upton spoke on behalf of the Oxfordshire Association for the Blind. The Associationsupported all the 20mph zones and the addition of 2 new toucan crossings, which would help improve the confidence and independence of visually impaired people. However, they opposed the introduction of shared use for cyclists and pedestrians on Tower Hill. As this was not segregated a visually impaired user would not be able to identify that they were in a shared space with obvious disbenefits. They were also concerned that as it was beside a busy road, pedestrians would be forced into the roadway to avoid passing cyclists. A segregated line, appropriate tactile paving with pedestrians on the side away from the road would provide a safer route for everyone. Although they opposed the shared space scheme at Witan way, they felt that while the shared path could be suitable as it was off the roadside there was not enough space by the crossing point on the Waitrose side and that could cause congestion of pedestrians/cyclists forcing people into the road. That could be improved by removing a section of barrier and widening the crossing point, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to stand side by side when crossing.  With regard to the Oxford Hill shared space that was on a very busy road which would certainly not work as shared space, even if pavements were widened. They urged the council to reconsider any shared use schemes and reinvest in shorter areas with the proper infrastructure. That would cost more but they felt that investment into less areas with the right infrastructure would be better than more areas which were less safe. Tactile paving provided vulnerable road users and should be used appropriately.

Officers advised that every effort had been made to follow government guidance for segregation but as this was a retrofit scheme with constraints on space there was no alternative other than for a shared use facility.  The proposal was for a minimum 3metre width but a segregated facility would require 4 metres. No lining or tactile paving had been included.

The Cabinet Member accepted the merits of active travel and the need to target the young and less confident cyclists. However, the concern for some as had been pointed out by the speaker was that this was being done to the detriment of pedestrians. There was a need to set the right standard for future schemes and she considered it vital that everything that could be done was done to provide the right facilities including tactile paving within the available space and guidelines. Therefore, having regard to the information set out in the report together with the representations made to her at the meeting she confirmed her decision as follows:

a)        to approve the proposed 20mph speed limit, toucan crossings and shared use footway / cycle tracks as advertised as permanent measures with a requirement that tactile surfaces at the beginning and end of shared use footways/cycle tracks and intersections along those routes be afforded priority over cycling facilities;

b)        to approve the introduction of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for the removal of car parking on at 146 - 152 Corn Street, Witney.

Signed………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Environment

Date of signing…………………………….