Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/205

Contact: Vicki Neville, Senior Officer – TRO’s and Schemes (Vicki.Neville@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Director of Environment and Highways (CMDTM).

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)           Approve the proposed new Cycle parking bay and amendment of existing Permit Holders parking bay to Shared-use parking (Permit holders & non-permit holders in Bath Street, as advertised.

(b)           Approve the proposed new Permit Holder parking bay and amendment of existing Permit Holders parking bay to Shared-use parking (Permit holders & non-permit holders) in Cave Street, as advertised.

(c)           Approve the proposed parking bay and yellow line changes in Jeune Street, as advertised.

(d)           Approve the proposed extension of existing Short-stay parking bays in Leon Close, as advertised.

(e)           Approve the proposed extension of the existing Shared-use parking bay near No.39, and the proposed new Shared-use parking bay near No.30 in Nye Bevan Close, as advertised.

(f)            Approve the proposed new Cycle parking bay in York Place, as advertised.

(g)           Approve the amendment of the existing Permit Holders Parking to Shared-use parking (Permit holders & non-permit holders in Boulter Street, as advertised.

(h)           Defer a decision on the proposed new Cycle Parking Bay in Boulter Street.

(i)             Not approve/withdraw the proposed extension of an existing short stay parking bay in Caroline Street.

(j)             Not approve/withdraw the proposed new Shared-use parking bay outside Nos.1-4 Nye Bevan Close.

(k)           Not approve/withdraw the proposed new Shared-use parking bay in York Place.

The Chair introduced the item to the meeting, invited speakers to make their contributions and responded to their points in turn.

The Chair noted concerns that the proposals were not compliant with County Council transport policies or the Oxford City Local Plan and stated that these proposals centred on the demand for increased permits within CPZ’s.

Officers noted the justification within the Central Oxfordshire Travel Plan was to review the eligibility and parking permits per property in CPZ’s and that in East Oxford, spaces had been lost to the LTN’s; which these proposals sought to restore. It was made clear that the hierarchy within the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan needed to be adhered to and that the design of streets needed to cater for pedestrians and cyclists first and foremost.

The Chair noted that the proposals to create additional permit holder bays would increase the number of cars on the roads, which would impact cyclists and pedestrians. Officers noted that less space for permit holder bays could potentially lead to unsafe car parking, which would also be to the detriment of safe walking and cycling.

The Chair stated that it was not for the Council to mitigate illegal parking through policies, as CPZ’s entitled residents to a number of permits but not the guarantee of a parking space. Officers confirmed, over the last 4 years as part of LTCP initiatives, a reduction of 56 spaces within the East Oxford CPZ, with an additional 9 spaces proposed with these amendments.

The Chair noted the safety concerns raised in the report, but that Thames Valley Police did not mention that in their consultation response. Officers noted the safety elements of the report came about as a result of guidance and reports by West Midlands Combined Authority, commissioned by the Department for Transport, as well as cross-governmental Home Office directives.

Officers noted that the East Oxford and Headington Central CPZ reviews were slightly behind the curve in terms of alignment with other schemes. Future reviews into CPZ’s were more closely aligned.

The Chair appreciated the discussion but felt he agreed with the point made by several speakers that the proposed increase in car parking would lead to an increase in volume of car traffic, which would be contrary to the Council’s policies.

The Chair noted that some of the proposals to increase cycle parking were welcome, but asked officers to re-think some of the proposals to increase parking along with other schemes.

The Chair stated that he was minded to approve recommendations: a; c; f; g; h; i; j and k, defer recommendation b and reject recommendations d and e.

The Chair thanked officers for their work, speakers for their contributions and agreed to the following decisions.

RESOLVED to:

Agree the following recommendations:

a) Approve the proposed new Cycle parking bay and amendment of existing Permit Holders parking bay to Shared-use parking (Permit holders & non-permit holders in Bath Street, as advertised.

(c) Approve the proposed parking bay and yellow line changes in Jeune Street, as advertised.

(f) Approve the proposed new Cycle parking bay in York Place, as advertised.

(g) Approve the amendment of the existing Permit Holders Parking to Shared-use parking (Permit holders & non-permit holders in Boulter Street, as advertised.

(h) Defer a decision on the proposed new Cycle Parking Bay in Boulter Street.

(i) Not approve/withdraw the proposed extension of an existing short stay parking bay in Caroline Street

(j) Not approve/withdraw the proposed new Shared-use parking bay outside Nos.1-4 Nye Bevan Close.

(k) Not approve/withdraw the proposed new Shared-use parking bay in York Place.

Defer the following recommendation:

b) Approve the proposed new Permit Holder parking bay and amendment of existing Permit Holders parking bay to Shared-use parking (Permit holders & non-permit holders) in Cave Street, as advertised.

Reject the following recommendations:

(d) Approve the proposed extension of existing Short-stay parking bays in Leon Close, as advertised.

(e) Approve the proposed extension of the existing Shared-use parking bay near No.39, and the proposed new Shared-use parking bay near No.30 in Nye Bevan Close, as advertised.