Old Road traffic works update

We have reported the state of the Old Road pavement to County officers as we believe that these need proper reinstatement – they are very uneven after having been dug up by utilities companies

The County Council is aiming to get the permanent signals at the junction of Old Road / The Slade /Windmill Road up and running on Friday 11 November.  The new vehicle detection loops installed as part of the junction upgrade works will need configuring in order to optimise the signals, therefore it will take a few days for the signals to settle down.

Concern about Rock Edge

Residents have contacted us because they are so concerned about the perceived ‘damage’ caused to Rock Edge Site of Special Scientific Interest by the County Council’s Old Road traffic management scheme works. The boundary has been dug into in order to make the footway wider with permission by Natural England.

The topsoiled bank is currently fenced off in order to let new grass seed bed in. This is to avoid the topsoil being trampled down the slope and spreading across the footway. Let’s hope it doesn’t rain too hard!

Latimer Road/London Rd crossing

This afternoon a County traffic engineer very helpfully explained to Ruth and to elderly residents how the toucan crossing works at the top of Latimer Road.

The ‘green man’ light appears and noise sounds for just 7 seconds, then the lights stay on red for traffic for a further 16 seconds but the green man and the sounds disappear during that time. Then there is a further 3 seconds when the lights will remain red if the camera sensors pick up movement

Residents find this confusing, as they are used to the green man light ‘flashing’ when the lights are about to change – this is a feature of pelican lights

The County Officer will let us know whether tactile cones can be installed under the pedestrian control box. He will also tell us who to contact for more information on whether the toucan can become a pelican (!) and whether there is sufficient room for a central crossing refuge

It’s heartening to see a County officer making a site visit and working proactively  to explain traffic systems in this way

Latest on Dunstan Road speed bumps

Ruth attended a site meeting this afternoon with County officers and local residents to examine and discuss the newly resurfaced Dunstan Road speed bumps in Old Headington

The existing road surface had been planed off by one and three quarter inches and a stone mastic asphalt surface now covers the previously uneven road. Measurements showed that the replacement speed bumps conform to the code of practice, however the speed bumps appear to be flatter because cars approach it from a smoother road surface either side.

Residents had raised concerns because they were worried that cars were travelling at higher speeds after the road resurfacing than before. Further work to raise the road bumps would cost nearly £6,000. Yet the response to our emails from residents living near the speed bumps were more mixed, and mainly favoured the status quo.

Indications are that the speed at which motorists will travel across the speed bumps will probably decrease once the new surfaces have been re-lined. The lines will also be painted ‘out’ into the carriageway to give a narrowing effect visually.

The situation re speeding and rat running will be monitored after this work is done, hopefully later next week.

2012 scheme:outbound bus lane for London Rd.

We are grateful to County Cllr Roz Smith for sending us the following information from County Traffic Planners:

OCC’s successful bid for money from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) includes £500,000 towards an outbound bus lane on London Road (total cost £1 million).  The length of road in question is from the end of Headington shops to the Gladstone Road bus stop from where there is already a short length of outbound bus lane up to Green Road Roundabout.

The programme for the bus lane is as follows:

  • Oct 11 – Jan 12 Outline design
  • Feb 12 – April 12 Consultation
  • May 12 – Sept 12 Detailed design
  • Oct 12 Scheme approval
  • Jan 13 – April 13  Scheme preparation
  • May 13 – Sept 13 Construction

This is an indicative schedule only at this stage.

Works at Old Road and the Slade

David and I are fielding calls and emails from unhappy residents who feel they have not been fully informed about the works affecting Old Road  and Highfield.

We have asked for letters to be sent to all residents at Latimer Grange and not just those living in one block

We have also asked the County officers to publish more details on their web page once they have final confirmation from contractors about the phasing and timetabling of the work. Any update when forthcoming will be displayed here.

Highfield/Old Road roadworks start 26 September

The County Council is carrying out carriageway and pedestrian footway upgrades from 26 September – 4 December in the following locations:

Old Road, The Slade, Windmill Road, Lime Walk, Latimer Road, All Saints Road, Highfield Avenue, Finch Close, Valentia Road, Stapleton Road, Bickerton Road, Horspath Driftway, Girdlestone Road, Dene Road and Cinnaminta Road

Traffic Management during the road works

In order to carry out the works safely and efficiently, a number of road closures are required.

These will be individually noticed on site and county officers will write to those more locally and directly affected by them prior to these closures.

The closures will be in operation on a full-time basis whilst those local works are being completed and diversion routes will be signed.

At other locations, works will be undertaken within temporary traffic signals in place.

David and I have received a couple of complaints that some affected residents have not been notified, please let us know if this is not the case

Bring back our humps!

Several residents have told us how disappointed they are that the carriageway repairs in Dunstan Road have resulted in smaller road humps which will have a much lessened impact on traffic calming. It’s really important that traffic isn’t going too fast before it tackles the bends near the parish hall and the church.

David and Ruth are asking the highways engineers to take another look at these ‘improvements’ to see if the newly resurfaced road humps can be built up and made more effective

What do YOU think about the new road humps? Drop us a line if you have a view or press the comment link and post us your feedback

Road closures St Andrew’s Rd and Dunstan Rd

Winter damage money has been made available for carriageway repairs in St Andrew’s Road and Dunstan Road. In order to effect these repairs, parts of Dunstan Road and St Andrew’s Road will be closed for 2 days on Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th September. We have been assured that a letter drop has been carried out to inform those affected. If you have any concerns about the extent of the works, please contact us.