Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Travel & Development Strategy

Forward Plan Ref: 2022/093

Contact: Aron Wisdom, Programme Lead Oxford City, 07776244856

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CMDTDS     ).

To approve i) the proposed 30mph speed limit on Kidlington Roundabout and all approaches (A4260/A4165), including the full length of the A4165 where a 40mph speed limit currently applies  ii) the introduction of a bus lane on Bicester Road and revised bus lane extents on A4165 Oxford Road (north), iii) introduction of signalised crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.

Peter Barnett read out his statement (attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes) by welcoming the proposed recommendations in the report and added that the Council should have acted faster and sooner on this matter.

Danny Yee addressed the meeting with a statement (attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes)by expressing his support for the recommendations in the report and welcoming additional measures that would have a net positive impact particularly in terms of reducing travel

by private car and increasing use of walking, cycling and public transport. 

Cllr Enright invited Aron Wisdom (Programme Lead) to respond to comments made in the statements and also to summarise the report and its rationale for officers’ recommendations.

Aron Wisdom highlighted the following points in his response:

·       This scheme formed part of the North Oxfordshire Corridor (NOC) road improvement projects funded by the Housing and Growth Deal.  There was a significant growth expected across the Cherwell district with approximately 22,000 new homes planned by 2031. This scheme would form part of the investment to create an inclusive, integrated and sustainable transport network which would be fit for the future.

Objections and challenges were made against the original plans by bus companies and cycle user groups. In addition, there were major concerns raised against the loss of trees. The main areas of concern from this original consultation round could be summarised into the following areas:

1.    Lack of direct routes of facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, including crossing points;

2.    More space provided to the motor vehicle at the expense of others;

3.    Impact on buses, and

4.    Loss of large trees and vegetation.

All of these and any additional concerns had been addressed by officers and included in the report.

·       The scheme was fully funded through the Housing and Growth Deal with a requirement to commit spend by March 2023. The initial funding allocation of £6m had been reduced to £4m due to significant descoping of the project because of consultation. The estimated budget included all internal staff costs.

Cllr Enright thanked the speakers for their statements and Aron Wisdom for the response.

Cllr Enright felt that the scheme outlines and aims had improved due to co-productive work with the stakeholder and cognisant with local views.  Cllr Enright felt that all of the concerns had been addressed by officers in the report. 

The scheme offers improvements and easier access into Oxford city centre by sustainable modes by improving bus journey times, improved pedestrian and cycle connectivity whilst also supporting the ongoing housing and employment developments and expected economic growth. In addition, it would contribute to improved road safety and air quality.

A summary of improvements would be:

·       Provide new dedicated bus lane on Bicester Road southbound, on the approach to Kidlington Roundabout;

·       Create a new 3m wide cycleway and 2m wide pedestrian footway, segregated from the carriageway and one another, around the perimeter of the roundabout to connect to existing infrastructure. This would include a 0.5m buffer zone between the cycleway and carriageway wherever possible;

·       Reduce the speed limits to 30mph on the roundabout and its approaches;

·       Add new signalised crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists on Bicester Road, Oxford Road (south) and Frieze Way with detection loops;

·       Rearranged vehicular egress at Stratfield B.

The Cabinet Member for Travel & Development Strategy AGREED to:

1)    Approve the speed limit changes as indicated in Annexes 1, 2, 3 and 9;

2)    Approve the additional length of southbound bus lane on the Bicester Road on the approach to the Kidlington Roundabout as indicated in Annexes 4 and 5

3)    Approve the improvement works on the Kidlington Roundabout including new and segregated pedestrian and cycle infrastructure and new Toucan crossing facilities on the Bicester Road, Oxford Road (A4165) and Frieze Way (A4260) arms as indicated in Annex 4, subject to completion of detailed design and associated road safety audits

4)    Approve the redesign of the Stratfield Brake egress ‘gain lane’ to form a simple priority give-way junction and reallocate the road space to form a shared-use two-way cycle and pedestrian link with the proposed new Toucan crossing on Frieze Way as indicated in Annex 4 subject to completion of detailed design, discussions with lessees’ and associated road safety audits.