Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve, as advertised:

a)    The introduction of a 20mph speed limit zone a 20mph speed limit zone in Harwell. The proposals will replace the existing 30mph speed limit with a 20mph speed limit zone on all roads within Harwell village, leading out to the following points:

·       Blenheim Hill/Didcot Road - a point 40 metres east of its junction with Teasel     Bank

·       Grove Road - a point 410 metres west of its junction with Drewitts Corner

·       Townsend - its junction with Barrow Lane

·       Wantage Road - its junction with Reading Road

b)    Traffic calming measures within the 20mph zone comprising:

·       Raised tables to be located on:

o   Wantage Road - with its junction Tyrrells Close,

o   High Street - outside Wellow House,

o   Blenheim Hill - outside Hill Orchard.

·       One sided ‘build-out’ feature on the High Street (near the War Memorial) on the northbound lane, with priority given to traffic travelling southwards,

·       Centre line road markings will be removed on High Street & Wantage Road & 1.5m wide advisory cycle lanes in each lane will be provided,

·       ’20’ roundel road markings on the carriageway & ‘20 mph` repeater signs will be installed at various locations within the zone.

Councillor Bearder, Cabinet Member for Highway Management, considered a report by the Corporate Director, Environment and Place which presented responses received to a statutory consultation on proposals to introduce a 20-mph speed limit zone and supporting traffic calming measures at Harwell.

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management was RECOMMENDED to approve as advertised:

a)    The introduction of a 20mph speed limit zone a 20mph speed limit zone in Harwell. The proposals will replace the existing 30mph speed limit with a 20mph speed limit zone on all roads within Harwell village, leading out to the following points:

·       Blenheim Hill/Didcot Road - a point 40 metres east of its junction with Teasel Bank

·       Grove Road - a point 410 metres west of its junction with Drewitts Corner

·       Townsend - its junction with Barrow Lane

·       Wantage Road - its junction with Reading Road

b)    Traffic calming measures within the 20mph zone comprising:

·       Raised tables to be located on:

o Wantage Road - with its junction Tyrrells Close,

o High Street - outside Wellow House,

o Blenheim Hill - outside Hill Orchard.

·       One sided ‘build-out’ feature on the High Street (near the War Memorial) on the northbound lane, with priority given to traffic travelling southwards,

·       Centre line road markings will be removed on High Street & Wantage Road & 1.5m wide advisory cycle lanes in each lane will be provided,

·       ’20’ roundel road markings on the carriageway & ‘20 mph` repeater signs will be installed at various locations within the zone.

Having heard presentations on the proposals, Councillor Bearder made the following observations –

(a)  Having spent time driving around his own village at 20 mph, he appreciated how difficult it was to adjust to the 20 mph speed limit. However, after a time, he has found driving at the speed a relaxing experience and there was considerably less noise from his vehicle as a result, and that he had significantly reduced the level of possible danger to pedestrians.

(b)  That cyclists, whatever measures were put in place, would, almost always, take the most direct, even if dangerous, route, irrespective of safety concerns.

(c)   He wholeheartedly agreed with the principle of speed cameras, noting that the lastspeed camera installed in Oxfordshire was, possibly, in 1998. Regulations governing the operation of traffic cameras meant that any fines resulting from the operation of traffic cameras were paid to the Treasury and it was for the Police to fund the installation of traffic cameras from their own resources.

(d)  As average speed cameras worked, Council officers were working with area Police forces on proposals to install speed cameras which could be paid for by the Council.

(e)  Having persons exceeding a 20 mph restriction by, say, 5 mph, although not acceptable, was preferable to having people exceeding a 30 mph restriction by5 mph.

(f)    It was his decision to approve the 20 mph on the understanding that such measures were introduced in consultation with the community and he apologised that this was not done in every stage of the current proposal.

(g)  A look forward to the local representative working with officers on a scheme that was acceptable to the local community.

Having considered the report of the Director of Growth and Economy; the written representations that had been received in response to the consultation; and the presentations by those persons present at the meeting Councillor Bearder announced his decision, as follows:

DECISION: To –

1.     Approve:

a)    The introduction of a 20mph speed limit zone a 20mph speed limit zone in Harwell. The proposals will replace the existing 30mph speed limit with a 20mph speed limit zone on all roads within Harwell village, leading out to the following points:

·       Blenheim Hill/Didcot Road - a point 40 metres east of its junction with Teasel Bank

·       Grove Road - a point 410 metres west of its junction with Drewitts Corner

·       Townsend - its junction with Barrow Lane

·       Wantage Road - its junction with Reading Road

2.     Refuse:

b)    Traffic calming measures within the 20mph zone comprising:

·       Raised tables to be located on:

o Wantage Road - with its junction Tyrrells Close,

o High Street - outside Wellow House,

o Blenheim Hill - outside Hill Orchard.

·       One sided ‘build-out’ feature on the High Street (near the War Memorial) on the northbound lane, with priority given to traffic travelling southwards,

·       Centre line road markings will be removed on High Street & Wantage Road & 1.5m wide advisory cycle lanes in each lane will be provided,

·       ’20’ roundel road markings on the carriageway & ‘20 mph` repeater signs will be installed at various locations within the zone.

Signed …………………………………………………………………………………

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of Signing …….…………………………………………………………………