I attended a meeting last night at which the County’s transport planning officers set out some options for improvements to Old Road. There is £90K developer funding available to make improvements for cyclists and pedestrians, and it may be possible to obtain some extra funding in a bid to Sustrans for some of options 2 and 3. The planners are talking to representatives from all different agencies and groups including those representing cyclists and pedestrians, and local residents’ groups. Further consultation will follow later.

I thought I would outline some of the suggested options here. An overall aim is to encourage people back onto their bikes by enabling them to feel confident and safe when cycling to school and work.

Option 1

• Install zebra crossing between Bickerton Rd/Stapleton Rd across Old Road
• Install dropped kerb outside Old Rd cycle/pedestrian entrance
• Shared use cycle path from Old Rd entrance to the NOC to Windmill Rd junction
• Off-carriageway shared use cycle path in eastern part of Old Road
• Short section of cycle by-pass leading to northbound Windmill Rd cycle lane
• Remove centre line in Old Road except for Windmill Rd and Gipsy Lane junctions
• Upgrade crossing facilities at Windmill Rd/Slade/Old Rd junction
• Advisory cycle lane on Old Rd westbound from the Slade to Roosevelt Drive

Option 2

• Cycle by-pass at Gipsy Lane lights leading to a shared use path to Finch Close
• Entry treatment at Valentia Road to give priority to pedestrians and cyclists
• Shared use pavement off-carriageway between NOC entrance and Windmill Rd
• Advisory cycle lane (see last point in option 1)

Option 3

• Cycle by-pass (see top bullet point in option 2)
• Off-carriageway shared use path Gipsy Lane to Windmill Road (west-east)
• Side road entry treatements on all side roads from Gipsy Lane to Windmill Road
• Footway delineation lines at NOC entrance to formalise junction
• Improvements to Old Road/Windmill Road junction(see options 1 and 2 above)
• Advisory cycle lane (see last point in option 1)

Other points that were raised included: should this not be linked in with a longer term transport plan?, would it be better to spend all the money on the single most dangerous part of Old Road?, should we look at a cycle by-pass from the Slade into Old Road?, how do we reconcile the differences in height between cyclists on a higher shared path and motorists below? would it be better to hang onto the money and wait till a later funding source becomes available?

Which option do you prefer? Please click the comments box below the subject line and let us know your views.

The corners of this junction are going to be tightened, so that pedestrians crossing York Road at the junction will have a shorter crossing, and vehicles turning left into York Road will go more slowly, reducing the risk of accidents.

Where pedestrians cross Margaret Road, the kerbs will be lowered and tactile paving will be laid. On the east corner, the existing footway will be rebuilt, and on the west corner the existing footway will be resurfaced.

The junction alterations are part of the “Better ways to school” initiative, its main aim is to encourage pupils to walk or cycle to school rather than to travel by car. Best of all, the efforts of Cllr Roz Smith and I in having a School Crossing Patrol have succeeded, and s/he will help school pupils and escorting adults to cross Margaret Road safely.

The work will start on 24 February and is expected to finish on 5 March

Cllr Roz Smith and I made a site visit to Wharton Road/Margaret Road recently and a number of local residents came along gave us their views. We sent the feedback we’d had both from the site meeting and from emails sent to us by residents of nearby roads, and the County has decided not to proceed with the proposed works.  

A substantial number of people we spoke to felt the proposed build-out in Margaret Road would not be a cost-effective use of money which could be better spent on infrastructure improvements elsewhere.

Having analysed the responses from local people, the County Officer has said they will be undertaking an improvement to the Margaret Road/York Road junction instead, and are hopeful that this will take place in this financial year.

Your local councillors are pressing for a lollipop crossing person in Margaret Road following discussions with parents of children who attend Windmill School - at the moment this is looking promising, but we must wait and see.

As you know, local councillors were asked just over a week ago to provide comments on the suggestion of trial road closures in Highfield and I advised the County that I would be collating responses and getting back to them by the end of this week. However, to my surprise and (to be honest) annoyance, the County has not waited for that feedback but announced a decision. The e-mail  which I have just received sets out in detail their argument and decision. To cut the chase: the County has decided not to carry out trial closures in the Lime Walk area, primarily  because of lobbying from the emergency services.

Many residents  have expressed an opinion on this issue. Some  will be relieved, others dismayed, others downright angry — there is a wide variety of views within the area to be affected by the closures and adjoining streets. Some will feel that the area has been robbed of possible closures after the press coverage a couple of months back but, as I have said before, the newspaper was misinformed by the present MP for Oxford East: he went to the press claiming that trial closures were definite without either having a written guarantee that they were to take place and without thinking through the controversy his action would cause. He should have known better. But that is behind us and the question now is how we move forward.

I am determined that we do not lose the opportunity actually to get measures to help the Lime Walk area. I have represented Headington for over seven years and in that time I have seen detailed proposals drawn up, then torn up, followed by a refusal to consider any changes in the area. What has happened has now put the issue back on the agenda and we must capitalise on that. The County is now, after years of saying ‘no’, offering to come up with measures for the area, within what seems to me a curiously short time period. I welcome that but what I will welcome more is fuller consultation with all local residents so that they can be engaged in the solutions to the problems that they have to face.

I and my ward colleague, Ruth Wilkinson, will be meeting members of the Highfield RA traffic group later this evening. We expected the meeting to be about our response to the County in consulting on trial closures. The agenda will be different now. What remains the same is my determination — and that of everyone around the table, I am sure — to get to solutions of the situation and not to allow this very real issue once again to disappear from the County’s view.

As always, if you want to contact me or Ruth, please do drop us a line.

It’s fair to say that one of the most controversial proposals to have come up recently is the suggestion that there should be trial road closures in the Lime Walk and Latimer Road area. Ruth and I have received a very large post-bag (yes, even during the strikes) from people both in favour and extremely worried about the suggestion.

As we have said before, the County has not made any firm commitment to going ahead with closures. Last week, we received the latest communication about the proposals from the County. They have asked for our opinion and we will be sending a formal response but before we do so, we’d be interested to hear from you. We certainly intend to emphasise to the County the importance of seeing any trial closures in the context of wider traffic management measures — we certainly do not want to get into a situation where, if there are trial closures and the County judges them as a failure, that there are no other options on the table. We will also stress that the range of possible measures should be put to the local population for their comment, with the intention of making sure we do get action to help deal with the traffic problems in the area. Of course, that consultation will also need to make clear what would be judged a success or failure for any trial closure.

Any there other comments you’d want us to add? We already have a sense of the range of attitudes in the area, but are always ready to hear from more of you! You can respond by leaving a comment here, or by e-mailing myself, Ruth or Altaf.

 I have asked the county officers to explain the procedures they take when a road accident is reported, and I thought you might be interested…

When accidents are loaded onto the system, they keep a track on whether there are any developing problem sites requiring investigation. These are identified taking account the number and severity of accidents, the type of accident  (e.g. if there are common patterns in terms of vehicle movements or road users involved) and the traffic flows.

They currently have around 200 problem sites where at least 5 accidents over a 5 year period have been recorded, and these form the focus ofthe County’s  accident remedial programme. They will of course also review possible safety measures at sites with a lower accident history, and also - in the case of new schemes - monitor closely their safety performance to confirm that they are operating acceptably.

I have found out that the County logs only those accidents reported to them by the police, and this can take up to four weeks. David and I would be interested in your views…

The County has proposed to make some alterations in Margaret Road: they are asking for comments on proposed changes to the junction of Margaret Road and Wharton Road, and also on a build-out in Margaret Road.

County Cllr Roz Smith and City Cllr Ruth Wilkinson are making a site visit at 6 pm tomorrow Friday 2 October to discuss these proposals with local residents. If you would like to come along and give us your views, you will be very welcome.

If you cannot come to the meeting but would like a copy of the proposals, please email Ruth for details

A large number of residents who live south of London Road have contacted us about the newspaper stories concerning planned road closures in Lime Walk and Latimer Road. We have been looking into this and have written to all residents with an update. Here’s the text: 

We were as surprised as many of you to hear from the press that it had been decided to close Lime Walk and Latimer Road for a trial period of a month. The press story has created a lot of controversy and we have been investigating exactly what has been decided. Here are the facts:

 

• There has been no decision made to close any roads.
• Highfield Residents Association has, for a long time, been rightly raising the traffic problems in the Lime Walk / Stapleton / Bickerton Rd area. One of their suggestions, among many, has been to close Lime Walk and Latimer Rd.
• The County has agreed to look at the feasibility of trial closures but made no commitment to do them. There is no timescale or detailed plan for them.

 

We have talked to residents regularly and know that some of you are keen to see road closures and others are dead-set against them. Whatever your view, you have all been let down by the way the press was persuaded to run with an inaccurate story. It has only served to heighten both expectations and alarm.

 

But we need to look ahead and consider what are the next steps. Our position, as your local councillors, is clear: road closures should not be the only proposal on the table. And any proposal must go to proper consultation with all affected residents between London Road and Old Road.

 

There is, of course, a danger that a trial closure could prove a dead-end. The County could judge the experiment a failure. If no other proposals were on the table, Highfield area would be left back at stage one, with no answer to the real problems residents endure. The solution that will work is one which helps Highfield but does not put extra strain on Windmill Road, which is already congested, or on smaller residential roads. We are committed to working with you to find that solution and get it put in place.

We have also been in contact with the traffic group of Highfield Residents Association to discuss with them their meeting with the County and how best to get a result which works for all of Headington. This is, of course, a big issue that won’t be decided with one news story: we’ll be here to carry on working with all residents on the very real traffic problems in our area.

A number of residents have asked us when the new 20 mph speed limits will come into operation. Our latest news from the County is as follows:

We’re anticipating the speed limit will come into effect in late August / early September but have yet to confirm the exact date (as you can appreciate, there is a lot of signing work) - the contractor is making very good progress with installing the poles, and we expect the signs themselves to be installed in the latter half of August.

Our latest information from Southern Gas is that there may be a gas leak where the main in Osler Road joins the main in St Andrew’s Road i.e. in the middle of the road junction

It would appear that traffic lights will not be appropriate in this location, and there are moves to obtain a road closure order, we will keep you posted.

Thanks to everyone who attended yesterday evening’s surgery, Altaf and Ruth enjoyed meeting you and discussing your concerns

These included issues around road signage, parking, ways to improve traffic junctions, hazardous traffic light sequencing at the Windmill Road/London Road junction, a county council legal matter, damage to pavements by refuse collection lorries, proposed Ruskin developments, sewage and drainage problems, and the lack of cycle track along London Road

It’s good to hear that so many residents enjoy living in Laurel Farm Close

We shall update residents as we make progress with their issues

Further to our post of 26th April, we have been in contact with the County Council about the re-surfacing of London Rd from Headley Way to Osler Rd and the related closures. There are two main issues. First, the simultaneous closures of Lime Walk, Latimer Road and Sandfield Road. We are now told that the hope is not to have them all closed at the same time, and that it does not take a full five days. I’m not sure how reassuring that is: it might be better to know all the roads are closed that having to leave it to guess work!

Second, and at least as important, is the impact of the night-time working on residents on or near London Road. This has already been a problem further up for the dormitories at Headington School. Our main concern now is for the residents of the sheltered accommodation that lines London Road. We have been assured that a letter has gone to each building but we are urging the County to try to make contact with individual residents in those blocks. If you know any residents in London Court, Victoria Court, McMaster House or any of the other residences around there, do help us make sure they are aware of the unfortunate (but necessary) disruption that’s going to occur.

Many residents have commented to us despairingly about the London Rd roadworks. They have taken much longer than was anticipated and have been far from well-managed. And I’m afraid, from what we’ve just learnt, things are going to get worse before they get any better.

You will have noticed that the road is going to be re-surfaced (at long last). The works to do that are to occur at the beginning of May with a night-time speed restriction of 10mph. At the same time, a letter sent from the County announces that there is going to be a temporary road closure ‘to the junctions of London Road with Sandfield Road, Latimer Road and Lime Walk. This will operate for 24 hours from 5 May 2009 and the estimated duration of the works is 5 days.’

This sounds to us as a potential recipe for chaos. We have contacted the County questioning whether a week with no exit from either side of London Road between Headley Way and Osler Road is really essential. We have also asked for reassurance that all residents will be fully informed about what is happening. I would hope that that would happen as a matter of course, but as the County has not handled this at all well, I wouldn’t want to put any faith in that.

We will keep you informed as the situation develops.  It certainly seems to me that some hard questions need to be asked of the County Council about their handling of this whole scheme.

Lib Dems believe removing bus stops from Queen Street without reducing buses makes no sense

Liberal Democrats have “called in” a decision by the county council cabinet member for transport to initiate an expensive short-term programme of changes to Queen Street in central Oxford. Said Lib Dem shadow cabinet member for transport Cllr Roz Smith: “Moving the bus stops out of Queen Street, without reducing the number of buses, will increase congestion on St Aldates and the High Street. It will also severely worsen the air quality in St Aldates, High Street and surrounding streets where there are many residents and even more full-time workers.”

Cllr Smith added: “Pedestrians in Queen Street will still have all the disadvantages of having buses in the street, but without the advantage of being able to actually get on them. An interim surfacing scheme, to be replaced with a new surface when Queen Street is fully pedestrianised, is a waste of taxpayers’ money.”

The matter will now be considered by the Environment & Economy Scrutiny committee of the county council at a meeting on Tuesday 5th May, starting at 2.00 p.m. in county hall. This meeting is open to the public, and members of the public may ask to address the committee.

In theory, members of scrutiny committees exercise their analytical skills impartially, in the interests of all the citizens of Oxfordshire, including those living in and visiting Oxford City. As with Select Committees in the Houses of Parliament, Party considerations are not supposed to determine the recommendations of scrutiny committees. It will be interesting to see whether any Conservative members of the committee break ranks and respond to the outcry among many groups, and vote to alter the decision of their cabinet member.

Please see information attached that relates to a Temporary Speed Restriction for the London Road, Headington, commencing 20 April 2009 and lasting for 5 weeks.  This will be introduced while carriageway resurfacing works take place.

Leon Jolly from Enterprise Mouchel confirmed the following locations and estimated timeframes for delivery.

Phase 1: 19 Apr - 30 April, Headington Campus to Gipsy Lane
Phase 2: 1 May - 12 May, Gipsy Lane to Headley Way
Phase 3: 13 May - 22 May, Headley Way - Osler Road

It’s not clear from the information that we have received what this temporary speed restriction will be in terms of miles per hour, but it’s pretty unlikely that it will be breached given our experiences of the last few weeks

Recently, it’s been hard not to notice the poor state of Dunstan Road: the road humps have become so delapidated to be dangerous. We have raised this issue with both Councils. As you may have seen, just over a week ago, the humps were patched up by the City Council helping deal with the immediate problem. But this isn’t enough: we do need more large-scale work to be done. For that, we will need the co-operation of the County. As yet, they have not committed anything to deal with this problem but, be sure that we will pursue it!

It was good to see so many people at the exhibition on Saturday morning! If you haven’t yet seen the County Council’s plans for upgrading the London Road, please click on this link

If you haven’t yet submitted comments/feedback on the new scheme, please do so online here

Please note: you will need to click on Next to complete the feedback form.  David and I are very keen that everyone fills this in.  Among the concerns that were brought to my attention on Saturday were the lack of attention given to cyclists, the narrowing of Old High Street at its junction with London Road in respect of the advent of Waitrose, safety concerns about the London Road/Windmill Road junction, and the removal of the subway at a cost of tens of thousands of pounds.  People were also concerned about the lack of planting in London Road

Then please report it online to the County Council’s Report a Problem site.  I have set up a sticky link to this from the central orange toolbar.  Do let David and me know if your complaint is not dealt with.

David has been given this assurance in writing by the Principal Engineer - Design and Implementation, Oxfordshire Highways

The contractors programme shows a finish date of 5 May 2009. This will
be subject to his progress on site but he is making every effort to
comply.

Plans are being drawn up for the next stage of the London Road ‘improvements’. Whatever you feel about the first phase, which has seen disruption around the Headley Way junction, the next stage, from Osler Road to Bury Knowle Park, will be all the more high-profile and will have a significant impact on the area. Ruth and I both think that the opportunity should be taken really to improve the whole area, in conjunction with the changing shop-face of the centre. First of all, though, there needs to be real consultation on what the County is proposing.

At present, there are some controversial proposals from the County: having a raised junction at Windmill Rd but keeping the present layout for cars crossing the junction, moving bus stops, decreasing the taxi rank, changing the parking arrangements and — most controversial of all — removing the underpass and replacing it with a pedestrian crossing, just west of Stephen Road.

As you know, your local councillors have worries about getting rid of the underpass, which many elderly people, and young mothers, tell us is the only way they feel safe crossing the road. A crossing would not solve all those problems, as some who are slower of the mark feel pressured by the limited timespan of the green man. On the other hand, I have heard people also say they would like to see a crossing permanently where there is a temporary one now — next to Osler Road. So, perhaps this should all be re-thought.

But, at this stage, Ruth and I want to hear your views. Please do send us your comments, writing them here or sending us an e-mail. At this point, we want to get as broad a range of opinions as necessary. Let’s make this into a big conversation!

People are to be asked for their views on where 20mph speed limits
should go in Oxford as the county council starts a consultation
exercise on February 12.

In Autumn 2008, the people of Oxford were asked what they thought
about the idea of introducing 20mph speed limits in the city.
Two-thirds of people who responded were positive about the idea.

The county council now wants to know what people think of the detailed
plans in terms of which roads are to be included in the proposal and
which should remain excluded.

WHERE COULD LIMITS BE INTRODUCED?
The proposals recommend that 20mph limits could be introduced in 2009 on:

Minor roads within the city including outlying areas such as Sandhills
Un-numbered through roads except where they are part of heavily-used
bus routes into the city, for example the section of Blackbird Leys
Road (north west of Balfour Road) and Barns Road (except for the
section immediately adjoining Between Towns Road), and Old Abingdon
Road
Some sections of the main A roads and the B road network where there
are busy shopping areas, for example the London Road through Oxford
Brookes University/Headington and on parts of the B4495 through Temple
Cowley

EXISTING 20 MPH ZONES
There are already a number of 20mph zones and limits in Oxford and
these would be incorporated into the wider project. The area of the
city centre that would be covered by the 20mph limit would be expanded
significantly.

HOW WOULD MAIN ROADS BE AFFECTED?
Radial routes such as:

Abingdon Road
Banbury Road (either side of Summertown)
Woodstock Road
Botley Road beyond Abbey Road
London Road either side of Brookes/Headington Shops
Iffley Road beyond Temple Street

would NOT be included.

Routes around the city such as:

the ring road
Oxpens Road/Thames Street
Marston Ferry Road
Donnington Bridge Road

would also NOT be part of the limit.
The Botley, Cumnor and North Hinksey areas will NOT be part of any
20mph plans with people from those areas having already stated that
they do not want to be part of the proposal.

BENEFITS
The introduction of 20mph speed limits, which are designed to be
self-enforcing, can reduce accident levels, especially when associated
with traffic-calming measures. The 20mph limit would encourage more
walking and cycle trips and bring associated health benefits.

HOW TO HAVE YOUR SAY
Consultation officially begins on February 12 and runs until March 5 .
You can find out more and have your say by:

Going to your local library in Oxford, viewing information about the
plans and filling in a response form. Participating libraries are
Blackbird Leys Cowley, Headington, Central Oxford and Summertown. The
same information will be available at receptions in County Hall and
the county council’s Speedwell Street headquarters.
Visiting Oxfordshire County Council’s website at
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/20limits and filling in the same form.
Writing to the county council at Oxfordshire County Council, 20 Limit
Consultation, Speedwell House, Speedwell Street, FREEPOST OF260,
Oxford, OX1 1BR .
Emailing 20@oxfordshire.gov.uk

We are advised that the length of Sandfield Road will be closed for five days from 2/2/09 while gas main replacement works are carried out

These Estimates present the City Council’s proposed programme of works for carrying out in the year 2009-2010.The threshold for Assessed Maintenance schemes has been set at £6,000 by the County Council, so all complete schemes below this figure are funded from the General Maintenance estimates. The aggregate value of work within a street on the Named Schemes list will exceed £6,000 even if the value of any type of work in a street is less. The Estimates are prioritized according to need. Priorities are based on the following parameters:-

1. Urgent work required to carry out structural repairs to eliminate an existing hazard.

2. Medium priority structural repairs to prevent the occurrence of hazards

3. Lower priority schemes to protect the structure from deterioration

Highways Act, 1990, Part IV, Section 42, Schedule 7 estimate Named Schemes (sorted by priority) Priorities 1,2 and 3 are collected and presented as named schemesPriority 9 is applied to works not achieving the £6,000 threshold.  

Street (Section) Description of work Value of work (£) 

Priority 1

• BEECH ROAD Lift kerbs and lay new kerbs 4,087.65
• BEECH ROAD Lift kerbs and lay new kerbs 4,448.32
• BEECH ROAD Footway overlay 2,485.54
• BEECH ROAD Footway overlay 2,284.01
• BEECH ROAD Carriageway plane and resurface 13,296.63
• GATHORNE ROAD Lift kerbs and lay new kerbs 8,912.68
• LARKINS LANE Carriageway heavy patching 1,195.67
• LARKINS LANE Lift stone kerbs and relay with 30% new stone kerbs 8,790.71
• OSLER ROAD Footway reconstruction 57,865.85 

Priority 2

• FORTNAM CLOSE Lift kerbs and lay new kerbs 2,244.20
• FORTNAM CLOSE Footway overlay 1,603.52
• FRANKLIN ROAD Carriageway concrete joint seal 683.24
• FRANKLIN ROAD Carriageway macadam overlay of concrete 5,270.70
• FRANKLIN ROAD Carriageway plane and resurface 25,062.91
• FRANKLIN ROAD Footway overlay 13,542.84
• GATHORNE ROAD Carriageway plane and resurface 10,133.75
• HORWOOD CLOSE Carriageway plane and resurface 12,794.87
• LATIMER ROAD Lift kerbs and lay new kerbs 8,616.12
• LATIMER ROAD Footway reconstruction 11,519.59
• LATIMER ROAD Footway reconstruction 11,787.48
• LATIMER ROAD Lift kerbs and lay new kerbs 8,816.50
• MARGARET ROAD Footway overlay 6,737.04
• MARGARET ROAD Footway overlay 5,906.71
• NEW HIGH STREET Carriageway plane and resurface 48,219.13
• OLD HIGH STREET Carriageway Plane and resurface with minor patching 28,547.46
• OLD HIGH STREET Footway overlay 1,275.75
• OLD HIGH STREET (SW side and shops layby) Footway overlay 7,669.04
• OLD ROAD (upper) Footway reconstruction 130,133.90
• OLD ROAD (upper) Lift kerbs and lay new kerbs 43,601.60
• PIPER STREET Footway reconstruction 8,915.62
• PIPER STREET Carriageway plane and resurface 3,727.36
• STAUNTON ROAD Footway reconstruction 74,068.28
• STEPHEN ROAD Carriageway plane and resurface 23,855.10
• WINDSOR STREET  Carriageway plane and resurface 6,531.83
• WINDSOR STREET Footway reconstruction 6,978.19 

Priority 3

• ALL SAINTS ROAD Footway overlay 2075.82  Lift kerbs and lay new kerbs 1963.67
  BATEMAN STREET   Lift kerbs and lay new kerbs 2364.42  Footway overlay 714.13
• CECIL SHARP PLACE Footway Deep clean of block paving and reseal 5438.16
• CUCKOO LANE FP 320/035 Osler Road to Old High Street  Footway Overlay 2440.15
• FP 320/036 (BURY KNOWLE PATH) North Place to London Road Footway overlay 4988.75
  GARDINER STREET  Footway overlay 519.25
• LATIMER GRANGE Lift slab footway and reconstruct in macadam 1832.20
• NORTH PLACE Footway stone slabs lift and relay 3971.60
• NORTON CLOSE Footway overlay 2736.69
• NURSERY CLOSE Footway overlay 1653.88
• ST. ANDREWS LANE Carriageway heavy patching 5480.20
• ST. ANDREWS ROAD  Footway Lift pitched stone footway and relay  1750.00
• ST. ANNE’S ROAD Drainage gullies reconstruction  3142.62
• WILBERFORCE STREET  Footway overlay 561.62
• WILLIAM ORCHARD CLOSE Lift slab footway and lay modular paving 5461.93
• WOODLANDS CLOSE Footway overlay 5523.26

Just to remind everyone that the London Road entrance to Sandfield Road will be closed for one week from 4 December because of roadworks - signs are in place already.

UPDATE
Our latest information from the County Highways Dept indicates that the closure will be for three days only from 2 December in order for gas pipes to be laid. This information conflicts with the red and white sign at the end of the road and we are trying to find out why!

There is now a Frequently Asked Questions page on the County website with an exceedingly long web address.  Please click on this link for a short cut!