Agenda item

Oxford : East Oxford Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) - Traffic Regulation Order (TRO)

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2023/134

Contact: Aron Wisdom, Programme Lead, aron.wisdom@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Corporate Director Environment & Place (CA7).

The annexes to this report can be accessed via the following link:-

<https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/connecting-oxfordshire/low-traffic-neighbourhoods/east-oxford-ltns>

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a) Approve the Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) for the three East Oxford Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) areas:

(i) Divinity Road

(ii) St. Clement’s

(iii) St. Mary’s

Officers are working on measures to mitigate the impacts of general congestion on bus services prior to the trial traffic filters being implemented in late 2024, with a package of measures that are due to be implemented during 2023 and 2024, city-wide. However, whilst the measures being considered are hoped to assist appreciably, they are not likely to fully mitigate bus service delays in the short term. Nevertheless, officers consider that it is essential that the associated measures are implemented. Therefore, Cabinet is recommended to:

(b) Subject to the approval of (a) above, approve the replacement of the bollards in Divinity Road, James Street and Magdalen Road with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.

(c) Subject to approval of (b) above, approve exemptions for emergency services, waste and postal vehicles, taxi and private hire vehicles through the restrictions enforced by ANPR on Divinity Road, James Street and Magdalen Road. The use of ANPR and/or exemptions will be reviewed prior to/during the trial of the traffic filters.

(d) Subject to the approval of (a) above, approve the introduction of bollards and/or planters at the junction of Jeune Street and St. Clement’s, and make Jeune Street two-way south of the restriction.

(e) Subject to the approval of (a) above, relocate the residential parking bay in Marston Street.

(f) Subject to the approval of (a) above, move the filter location on Bullingdon Road to the southwest to a point to the east of the junction with Hurst Street.

(g) Approve the investigation of measures to improve public transport journey times and adequately resource the interventions.

This report presents cabinet with a consideration of alternative options as well as the above officer recommendation to reflect the complexity of this project.

Minutes:

Cabinet had before it a report presenting recommendations and alternative options considered following the trial of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in three areas of East Oxford. The trial had been approved by the Council in December 2021. The restrictions had been implemented by the introduction of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) in May 2022 which was due to expire in November 2023.

Cabinet had received a large number of representations on the proposals and were addressed by members of the public and County Councillors at the meeting.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, presented the report and responded to a number of the points raised by speakers.

During discussion, members referred to the various points made by speakers at the meeting.

They made the following points:-

· The difference in views and priorities expressed by older residents and those younger people was apparent

· The importance of creating spaces to improve peoples’ lives

· The current proposals were a compromise which took account of transport needs around the edges of the LTN areas and were a step in the process started by the Council’s previous administration

· The importance of viewing the LTN proposals within the wider context of traffic issues in the County as a whole and future plans for transportation and environmental policies

Members noted that LTNs were in line with the County Council’s priorities to take action to tackle the climate emergency and cut carbon emissions, prioritise the health and well-being of residents and invest in an inclusive, integrated, and sustainable transport network that was rebalanced in favour of pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users. However, they also recognised that the LTNs had created disbenefits for some, including longer and more unpredictable journey times for less mobile individuals who could not easily achieve modal shift away from a car, certain trades, and professions, and (combined with other factors) public transport. Bus journey times had been particularly negatively affected, but there was evidence that this situation had begun to improve during the trial period. Communities outside the immediate area of the scheme had not benefitted as much as those within LTN areas and had experienced inconvenience. They had, however, benefitted from an improved walking and cycling network.

Councillor Gant proposed and Councillor Bearder seconded the recommendations, and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:-