Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Highway Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/051

Contact: Naomi Barnes, Project Manager, 07824528681

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place.

*** The Annexes are published as Supplementary Documents due to their number and length. ***

To make permanent or remove.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a)              Incorporate the provisions of the current Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETRO) into a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the Church Cowley, Florence Park and Temple Cowley areas that are Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).

b)              Undertake further community and stakeholder engagement in order to further refine and improve the scheme, with any changes to be implemented by Spring 2023.

c)              Undertake a process of monitoring and reviewing all elements of the scheme, and to bring forward proposals for changes through the consultation process which may include (but not necessarily be limited to): replacing some hard closures with ANPR-controlled traffic filters; reviewing the exact location of some installations within a road; replacing others with elements such as parklets in order to deliver public realm improvements

The current Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETRO) covering the Cowley schemes were due to come to an end in September.  Cabinet was asked to choose one of two options, these being to: either incorporate the ETRO into a TRO; or to remove the schemes altogether.

Before the discussion commenced, the Leader noted that Page 4 of the Cowley 2021 report contained a human error in miscalculation in the table relating to support for the Church Cowley LTN filters. There was an error in the percentage totals, which should read 47% support and 53% oppose, and not 36% support and 64% oppose. This amendment will be made to the original report published online and has been subsequently amended in this 2022 report.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Highway Management, proposed amendments to remove two terms in relation to burials within the Muslim tradition which were incorrect.  He apologised on behalf of the Council for their inclusion.

Councillor Gant proposed and Councillor Pete Sudbury seconded the following amendment which was agreed:

In Supplementary Documents for Item 6 Part 2, Annex 7, page 126

section headed "Religion or belief"

In column 4, delete word "crematorium" and replace with "burial ground"

In column 5, delete entirely the paragraph "Liaise with Crematorium regarding later hours and portable lighting in the winter could allow ceremonies to be completed".

David Henwood presented a petition with over 3,500 signatures calling for a reversal of the Cowley LTN scheme.  The meeting also heard contributions from thirty members of the public on this item.  Texts of these speeches, and those of a number of people who were unable to attend at the earlier start time for the meeting, that were provided in advance of the meeting had been circulated to Cabinet Members and will be published on the Cabinet meeting page on the Council website.

Councillor Charlie Hicks welcomed the recommendations to make the scheme permanent.  He noted that there were other schemes coming forward in the next 12 months to reduce traffic on the boundary roads too.

Councillor Dan Levy read out an email he received from a resident on one of the roads where bollards had been illegally removed, describing the negative impact on her ability to walk and cross roads in her neighbourhood.

Councillor Brad Baines described LTNs as a critical element in reducing the number of car journeys as required to meet the country’s commitments on reducing carbon emissions.

Councillor Gant commended the three recommendations to Cabinet.  He emphasised that there was a commitment to review and change the measures where appropriate.  The use of ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) will be considered as this could allow choices to be made as to who can access and at what times.

There was no such thing as unrestricted access.  Roads come at a cost.  There was a need for behaviour change.  There would be a process soon on charges and bus gates were also an important part of the overall vision.

Cabinet Members made further points including the following:

·       The commitment to consult and introduce changes by Spring 2023 was very important.

·       The measures were needed to provide a peaceful living environment in the neighbourhoods.  20mph zones were also a key element.

·       Carbon emissions were continuing to increase, possibly leading to a 4 degree increase in global temperatures by the end of the century.

·       The fundamental issues involved were the climate emergency, air pollution, public health and congestion.

·       Oxford cannot sustain increases in the number of cars.

·       This was particularly positive for the next generations.  Many of those who are children now will never buy a car.

·       This was about people being able to get about safely in their neighbourhoods.

·       This debate was taking place on the hottest day on record in the UK.

·       Officers were to be commended for their work on this in a particularly high- pressure situation.

The recommendations, as amended, were proposed by Councillor Gant, seconded by Councillor Enright and agreed.

RESOLVED: to

a)              Incorporate the provisions of the current Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETRO) into a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the Church Cowley, Florence Park and Temple Cowley areas that are Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).

b)              Undertake further community and stakeholder engagement in order to further refine and improve the scheme, with any changes to be implemented by Spring 2023.

c)              Undertake a process of monitoring and reviewing all elements of the scheme, and to bring forward proposals for changes through the consultation process which may include (but not necessarily be limited to): replacing some hard closures with ANPR-controlled traffic filters; reviewing the exact location of some installations within a road; replacing others with elements such as parklets in order to deliver public realm improvements.