Headley Way phase of Access to Headington works delayed

Here is the press release we have received from construction firm Skanska

The next phase of Access to Headington, which had been due to start on 24 July, has been postponed until the new year.

Following continued discussions and alterations to the traffic management for Thames Water’s urgent sewer works on St Clements the county council has decided the overall disruption for traffic would be unacceptable.

County Councillor Yvonne Constance, cabinet member for Environment, said: “The Thames Water work must be done now as we could otherwise be in a situation where the sewers collapse and an emergency road closure is needed – that would be the worst possible situation.

“We have kept in constant contact with Thames Water and have worked closely with them to reduce the length of time their work will take as well as the impact on traffic.


“The traffic management for Thames Water’s work has been repeatedly discussed and refined and the impacts considered across a wider area. Our team have concluded that traffic re-directed from, or seeking to avoid, the St Clements work will hit the Access to Headington work resulting in congestion and pushing traffic from one set of roadworks to another.

“For that reason we have decided, as our work is more flexible, that we will move the Headley Way/Cherwell Drive phase to the new year.”

The Access to Headington project team will be investigating other phases of the programme that could start this year that will not be as badly affected by redirected traffic from the Thames Water works.

We are hoping this may give us more time to negotiate improvements in the intended scheme with the County Council

Temporary road closure: Latimer Road next Saturday and Sunday

We have received this notice from the County Council

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice – S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road/Bridleway/Footpath Closure – at:

Oxford – Latimer Road, Headington – Adjacent to the junction with A420 London Road – Outside the Winvic site 

A request has been received from Nationwide Traffic Solutions for a temporary road closure to apply to a length of Latimer Road, Headington, Oxford for a crane operation to remove a tower crane from the Winvic site.

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate on:

15 & 16 July 2017 – 6am to 10pm each day

 Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works. Please note that access routes will depend on exactly where the works vehicles are at any time and may need to be negotiated with the gang on site as necessary.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and also the alternative routes for traffic is attached.

 

Latest planning decisions in Headington Ward

The following applications have been given delegated consent

16/00689/FUL

Erection of a single storey rear extension. Formation of 1No rear dormer window and insertion of rooflights in association with loft conversion. Conversion of garage into habitable space. Replacement of porch. Replacement of windows and doors (Amended Description)
13A Sandfield Road Oxford

17/00806/FUL

Change of use of first floor dance studio to 1 x 1-bed apartment (Use Class C3).

Suite B First Floor 112 London Road

17/00854/ADV

Display of 1no. internally-illuminated projecting sign, 2no. non-illuminated freestanding signs, 1no. set of internally-illuminated fascia and 1no. non-illuminated fascia.

Beech House 36 – 40 London Road

17/01071/FUL

Erection of a two-storey rear extension. Formation of 3No. dormer windows to south elevation. Insertion of 1No. window to east elevation, 1No. window to south elevation and 1No. window to north elevation. Formation of raised patio area at rear

Jaghori House 13 Osler Road

17/01092/FUL

Change of use of dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4).

70 Windmill Road Oxford

17/01133/FUL

Erection of single storey rear extension.

2 Sandfield Road Oxford

The following was refused on delegated authority

17/00893/CEU

Application to certify that the existing conversion of garage to provide habitable space is lawful.

41A Sandfield Road Oxford

 

 

Oxford Local Plan 2036 consultation now live

Members of the public are invited to take part in the consultation on the Preferred Options main document for the emerging Oxford Local Plan 2036.

The consultation is open from 30 June to 25 August, Oxford City Council states:

The Oxford Local Plan 2036 will become the main planning policy document for Oxford. The Local Plan is important because it will set out how we want our city to look and feel, guiding new developments to the right locations whilst protecting and improving the environment and people’s quality of life. 

Last summer we asked you what issues the new Local Plan should cover. We have listened to what local communities, businesses and other organisations told us and are now considering a range of policy options. The Preferred Options document gives you the chance to comment on our proposed approaches to a range of issues. The consultation period runs from 30th June 2017 until the 25th August 2017. 

On our website (www.oxford.gov.uk/localplan) we have published the main Preferred Options document, background papers and studies on key issues, and a draft sustainability appraisal. There is the opportunity to respond to the main document using our detailed questionnaire online, or to complete the shorter online questionnaire. If you prefer to respond in writing or email, please send to Planning Policy at the address above.

Paper copies of the main Preferred Options document and the draft Sustainability Appraisal are available to view in libraries and St Aldate’s Chambers. In St Aldate’s Chambers we also have paper copies of all the background papers and studies on the website. We also have a consultation leaflet and questionnaire available at libraries, leisure centres, community centres and the Town Hall. 

You can come and see us at events around the city during the consultation period:
Fri 4th August: Templars Square Shopping Centre 11-1.30
Sat 15th July: Headington Funday 2-5; Bury Knowle Park

We urge residents to take a look at the consultation document which is available online and at Bury Knowle Library. Headington residents may be particularly interested in the sections on affordable housing, key worker housing, student accommodation, the use of space in district centres, and sites earmarked for further development.

At a recent briefing to community groups, residents from across Oxford raised some interesting points and comments which included:

  • Is the city council working with planning authorities in neighbouring districts to solve housing crisis?
  • Why is the city council appearing to want a no car policy?
  • What is affordable housing? Should be for those earning c £26K
  • How do we stop private investors buying up all the new build properties?
  • Is there too much emphasis on growth?
  • Why hasn’t some land been allocated specifically for community-led housing groups?
  • Are you saying it’s ok to put up high rise buildings so long as air quality doesn’t get worse?
  • What do you mean by a “tall” building? There’s a 15 storey one proposed for Templars Square at EAPC next week
  • Height limit/constraint for buildings shouldn’t just be in the city centre – consistency and good design is needed
  • Does the consultation adequately take into account the thousands who work or study in Oxford but live elsewhere?
  • Won’t reorganization affect the local plan? More needed for cyclists.
  • See p175 – balance of use in district centres has changed from A1 to Class A so more cafes/fast food/restaurants in Headington and Summertown?
  • Could consent for developments include a condition for car clubs?
  • What can be done about Airbnb?
  • Classification of HMOs – an HMO owned, managed and run by the universities does not count as an HMO for the planning stats, but an HMO owned by a landlord and rented out does. Currently, a road almost full of HMOs containing students had an application to change a property from residential to HMO approved as it was the only private HMO in the street. Change of definition needed?
  • With the emphasis on creating purpose-built HMOs, will private landlords intensify build on their existing sites as this will bring them increased income?

The Local Plan preferred options will be a major topic for debate at the next Headington Ward Focus meeting on Tuesday 25 July from 6:00-7:30pm at All Saints Church House.

Statements on safety from Brookes and Unite following Grenfell Tower tragedy

We have asked for statements from Oxford Brookes University and from Unite on safety of buildings.

Statement from Oxford Brookes University

Given the tragic incident at Grenfell we have made sure that our buildings continue to be of the highest standards for safety.

All our campus buildings are fully fire rated and designed with extensive fire resistance and safety features which meet the approved fire strategy. In terms of new builds there is a fire engineer employed by the University to ensure we comply with current regulations, which would include cladding.

We will continue to monitor the situation in case of any changes to regulations.

 

Here is Unite’s statement on fire safety which was sent to Oxford Brookes University, Unite manages Dorset House and the new Beech House development on the corners of London Road and Latimer Road.

In light of the recent tragedy in London, I wanted to give you some reassurance about Unite Students and our buildings. Below is a detailed outline of what we do and how we operate in respect to fire safety.

The safety of our properties is a key priority so we have, for some time, been working with Avon Fire and Rescue Service as part of a primary authority scheme to make sure that our buildings, policies and procedures not only comply with existing regulations but exceed them. This is supported by a robust fire risk assessment regime carried out in each premises using experienced accredited fire risk assessors who are members of the Institution of Fire Engineers. In Scotland we also undergo a rigorous licensing scheme on all properties as part of the House in Multiple Occupancy Regulations.

All of our properties comply with building regulations and have the necessary life safety systems installed that match the individual requirements of the building in question. This may include but will not be limited to alarm systems, sprinklers, dry/wet risers and automatic smoke ventilation. It is important to note that each premises will have different requirements in terms of installed fire safety systems dependent on aspects such as the number of floors, the number of escape routes and when the building was constructed or refurbished.

We have fully addressable L (Life) type fire alarm systems in all of our properties which means that all areas of the premises are covered with detection, including bedrooms, kitchens, plant rooms and communal areas. Our trained staff are alerted immediately to undertake a fire investigation at the point of activation and where necessary co-ordinate evacuation.  This alarm is also connected to an internal ARC that is manned 24/7 and 365 days of the year. 

Our fire alarm systems work on a phased evacuation, which means that residents will be prompted to evacuate based on risk and the presence of fire or smoke that could present risk and so as to not impede the fire service.  We do not operate a stay put policy and in the event of smoke or heat being detected, our systems assume that a fire situation is present and all residents are prompted to evacuate.

To support our fire safety systems, we also undertake routine inspections of our compartmentation to ensure that the fire strategy of the building is not compromised. This is done with third parties who are members of the “Association for Specialist Fire Protection” and double checked as part of our fire risk assessment regime.  This compartmentation strategy incorporates fire doors throughout the premises which are all fitted with self-closers to ensure that compartments are maintained.

All of our life systems are robustly tested in line with British Standards guidelines by competent staff and accredited third parties to ensure that they are operational at all times.  We conduct routine inspections on all plant and equipment including electrical and gas systems using accredited personal and third parties.

In 2015, we conducted a review specifically looking at the cladding on our high rise buildings, for reference this is properties with ten stories or more. Following this week’s tragic events, we have launched a further urgent review to assess whether we need to tighten up our current procedures in any way and will monitor and remain current with any findings or recommendations following an investigation into this event.

In addition to the physical fire safety measures we have in place, our staff are trained on their duties to undertake with regards to proactive and reactive fire safety management, which includes building inspections, routine fire alarm testing, evacuations and inductions for residents.

Lib Dem response to Oxford City Centre transport improvements and experimental Queen Street closure consultation

Here is the response to the above from the Liberal Democrat Group on Oxford City Council and from Oxfordshire County Councillors Paul Buckley and John Howson. Please click on this link for the full consultation documents

 

Our principal concern about these proposals is that we do not believe that the safety of pedestrians and cyclists is given high enough priority in a very busy tourist, visitor and employment centre.

We believe that the overall cost-benefit of these proposals is too small; we note that the cost of the changes will be nearly £1m but this is not fully funded. What is the shortfall and where will it come from? These proposals are submitted without any apparent agreement with the County Council about funding, and without reference to Cil contributions. Is the City expected to contribute and, if so, in what proportion.

We are concerned that no evidence is supplied with this consultation document to support this package of major transport changes. It is therefore not clear what the problems are which the ‘permanent’ transport measures and the ‘experimental’ closure of Queen Street would seek to remedy.

We believe that the proposed change to the Worcester Street junction is over-engineered.

There is no mention of the proposed Worcester Street bus gate, which would impact heavily on this plan. If it is to be introduced, the pros and cons need to be taken into account at this stage.

 

Our comments on the individual area plans are detailed below:

  1. Overview Plan – Queen Street Area (Oxford) Various Traffic Proposals
  • The development of Becket Street as a bus lay-in and start point for key services such as routes to London would alleviate congestion in the George Street/Worcester Street area and could be implemented ahead of the current scheme for the Railway Station outlined in the City Council’s supplementary planning document.
  • An increased number of bus stops cannot help but increase congestion.
  • We would like to see an increased number of air quality monitoring stations set up to aid evaluation of environmental impact throughout the ‘experimental’ period. We would like to see figures for air pollution in St Aldates and The High Street over the last 12 months, for comparison purposes with results over the next 12 months.
  • Accident data has not been included within these proposals and we would find this helpful to inform decision-making.

 

  1. Consultation Plan – High Street Bus, Taxi & Loading Bays
  • There is currently pedestrian congestion at temporary bus stops in High Street outside the covered market. As a result the entrances to the covered market are less visible. Waiting passengers obstruct shop windows and doorways, and passers by and tour groups get mixed up with bus queues moving forward to board buses.
  • There is also a negative impact on heritage. St Aldates and The High Street are two of the most architecturally significant streets in the City. Waiting buses will impede views for tourists and citizens and this proposal does not preserve or enhance the central conservation area.

 

 

  1. Consultation Plan – St. Aldates / High Street Changes to Waiting Restrictions
  • ‘No waiting’ restrictions outside the Town Hall need greater enforcement, has funding been set aside for this purpose?

 

  1. Consultation Plan – Proposed Taxi Turning Area in Cornmarket Street

We strongly object to this proposal on a number of grounds.

  • Concerns about the width of the street when taxis perform U-turns
  • Concerns for safety as this is an area heavily used by pedestrians and by cyclists who are allowed to ride down the street after 6pm
  • Impact on street entertainment and events held in that location which helps attract trade to that area
  • The number of taxis allowed on the rank at one time is not set out here. The number of taxis in Queen Street currently in the evenings is so great that some park on the opposite side of the road too, and we are concerned that the proposed taxi rank space appears unrestricted
  • The present location is nearer the new Westgate shopping development

We consider that the existing taxi rank at the eastern end of Queen Street should be retained and/or that the new Westgate Centre should provide a taxi rank.

 

  1. Consultation Plan – George Street / Worcester Street Proposed Junction Layout Amendments 

We object to some of the proposed changes because the proposals do not sufficiently address the flow of pedestrians, which is heavy at this point because this is a major route to and from the railway station.

  • We can see no evidence for taking away the existing crossing facility in Hythe Bridge Street
  • We accept that cyclists need more protection at the Worcester St junction, but we believe there should be better solution than the use of a traffic island next to a pelican crossing
  • The traffic island proposed will narrow the turning into Worcester St from Hythe Bridge St, making it very difficult for lorries to manage the turning. Pedestrians will use this traffic island as a way of avoiding waiting for the lights – to the danger of all
  • Taxis are not mentioned on this drawing but they usually use bus lanes, will they be able to use the bus left turn cut-throughs?

 

  1. Consultation Plan – Park End St / New Rd / Worcester St Proposed Zebra Crossings
  • There is insufficient evidence of pedestrian desire to access Upper Fisher Row (this is a footpath – no vehicle access) to justify a new zebra crossing at the entrance from Park End Street, and a crossing here would impede traffic flow.
  • Bus flow is impeded at the junction of Worcester Street and Park End Street. Consideration should be given to making this a No Right Turn

 

  1. Consultation Plan – Speedwell Street / St. Aldates Proposed Zebra Crossings
  • We have concerns about the safety of cyclists (a) turning right from St Aldates into Speedwell Street across the path of incoming buses, and (b) travelling north across the path of buses turning right into Speedwell Street.
  • We believe that the retention of lights here, operational at peak times, would provide an additional safety measure for those choosing to cycle to and from work and study

 

  1. Consultation Plan – Bus Lay-Over Bay Speedwell Street

We support this proposal.

 

  1. Consultation Plan – Park End St / Hythe Bridge St Additional Bus Facilities

We object to these proposals for the following reasons:

  • It is proposed to locate bus stops immediately opposite each other in Park End Street. If both sets of bus stops are being used at once, the width of the road would be insufficient for traffic to flow.
  • There is insufficient evidence that an extra bus stop is needed in Hythe Bridge Street outside Fusion. The road is not wide enough and cycle safety is an important issue here as it is a well-used route. R9 in Hythe Bridge St should be removed and replaced with use of the double bus stop on the north side of Park End St. These buses are at their route end, approaching their lay-over in New Road, and will be carrying few passengers beyond the city centre, so the marginal extra distance to Park End St is preferable to the problem which would be caused by a bus stop on the south side of Hythe Bridge St.
  • Insufficient cost benefit to install a zebra crossing on Park End Street at its junction with Fisher Row (see note above)

 

Information Plan – Proposed Changes to Bus Stop Locations (DRAFT)

Information Document – Provisional Bus Stop Allocations (DRAFT)

Buses from Blackbird Leys, Barton, Marston and Wood Farm will stop directly outside Westgate shopping centre but the 3,3A and the 16 from Littlemore and Rose Hill will terminate at St Aldate’s on the way into town. The 16 appears to have to run along High Street to the Plain for no other reason than to turn round at the end of its route to pick up at Carfax, which does not appear to be energy efficient. Neither of these services access the railway station as Rose Hill residents had been promised.

In conclusion, our view is that:  

  • When the Gloucester Green coach station was planned, the longer, larger, more frequent coaches that now use it were not envisaged. Insufficient thought was given in the planning of the new Westgate to the effect on an already congested public transport situation in the city centre.
  • A solution to traffic problems in the city centre depends on relocating the Gloucester Green bus station. We would propose the Becket St parking site, with a shuttle service into the centre.
  • The longer term impact of these proposals, if they are not modified as we propose, will be to concentrate the flow of transport to suit retail and restaurant use in one part of the City (Westgate) to the detriment of businesses in other parts of the City.

We do not support permanent pedestrianisation of Queen Street which has less culturally significant architecture and heritage than St Aldates and The High Street.

 

Sent to Oxfordshire County Council 20 June 2017

Counter-proposals on governance structure in Oxfordshire

Three district councils have published their alternative proposals on restructuring in Oxfordshire – West Oxfordshire District Council, Cherwell District Council and Oxford City Council.

You can download this 56 page document at https://www.oxford.gov.uk/downloads/file/3706/opportunity_growth_and_reform_an_alternative_to_proposals_for_structural_reorganisation_in_oxfordshire

Statement re tower block safety in Oxford

Here is a statement from Oxford City Council regarding tower block safety.

The City Council is in the middle of a major refurbishment of our 5 tower blocks namely Windrush and Evenlode on Blackbird Leys, Hockmore at Temple Cowley, Foresters in Wood Farm and Plowman in Northway. The project includes improvements to the fire safety of the buildings.

In light of the tragic fire that occurred today in Kensington and Chelsea and that Grenfell Tower has also undergone a major refurbishment an urgent review of our project has been undertaken. Whilst it will be some considerable time for the investigation to complete and report we have tried to cover issues that have emerged from the media reports so far.

The key points are that

  • The design of the fire safety elements of the project was carried out in full consultation with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue service ( OFRS ) and the Council’s Building Control service and the works when finally complete will be formally signed off by those services.

  • We are installing sprinkler systems to all dwellings. These are already operational in Windrush, Evenlode and Hockmore and are scheduled to complete in Plowman and Foresters by December 2017.These are not required by law but we decided to include them following discussions with OFRS and reviewing the recommendations from previous investigation reports into other tower block fires ( Eg Lakanhal in Southwark in 2009 )

  • We are installing a fully automated fire detection system both in individual flats as well as communal areas; that is connected directly to the fire service. Again this is already complete for Windrush, Evenlode and Hockmore.

  • The external cladding system fitted complies with all current legislation, the insulation is fire retardant and there are fire barriers at each floor level. We do not believe it is the same cladding system but we are double checking.

  • Dry risers are checked regularly to ensure they are working. These are the internal pipes with outlets at each floor that allow the fire engines to pump up high pressure water from the ground floor to each upper floor to enable them to fight the fire from the inside which is the standard practice for towers. The fire service has limitations on the equipment available to fight fire from the outside on very tall buildings.

  • Fire doors are in place to both communal areas and front entrance doors and these are being checked and upgraded where necessary as part of the works. Where residents have replaced their own front doors we are checking to ensure compliance. This may require enforcement if tenants or leaseholders refuse. We are also double checking that residents have also not installed doors for security reasons that would hamper the fire service from forcing entry to fight a fire.

  • Smoke extraction vents to stairwells are being installed which will disperse smoke from the means of escape.

  • Evacuation procedures have been reviewed with OFRS and notices of the revised arrangements have already been installed for those blocks that have already got the new detection system. We do not have a stay put policy in Hockmore and have a partial stay put to the other blocks i.e. if a fire is detected to a floor then the alarm sounds on that floor and to the floors above and below with instructions to evacuate. We may need to review this with OFRS colleagues in due course but their advice as of today remains the same

  • Access for engines have been checked to ensure there are no obstructions during our works

Venue announced for next Headington Ward Focus meeting

Meeting details below – Board Room at Ruskin College on Tues 27 June from 6pm.

 

NEXT HEADINGTON WARD FOCUS MEETING

The next public meeting for residents who live in Headington Ward will be on

Tuesday 27th June

Ruskin College Board Room (opposite Reception), Dunstan Road, Old Headington

from 6:00-7:30 pm

Includes latest information on Access to Headington works in Headley Way

Updates on consultations about Queen Street, the Railway Station and the Oxford Local Plan

Ward Focus meetings are run on a drop in and out basis and are free of charge. There is an open session where residents can raise issues of concern. There’s no need to book.

If you would like to contact your Lib Dem city councillors for advice on any issue please contact