Agenda and minutes

To receive and consider apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Liz Duncan, Chris Hulme from Thames Valley Police, and Kevin Hickman from Windrush Bike Project.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Witney Traffic Advisory Committee meeting held on 27 September 2022 be approved and signed by the Chair.

There was no public participation.

There were no matters arising from the minutes of 27 September 2022.

To receive and consider the report from the Traffic Schemes Area Operations (North) team.

The Committee received and considered the report from the Oxfordshire County Council Infrastructure Locality Team concerning updates on several projects underway in Witney.

Included within this were updates on the Windrush Bike Project Barriers Report, Schemes to be delivered from Windrush Place S106 funding, the Witney Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), the A40/B4022 Shores Green Access, Bridge Street Area Options, and Burwell Meadow Low Traffic Neighbourhood.

Resolved:

That, the report be noted.

To receive and consider the report of the Traffic & Road Safety (North) team.

The Committee received and considered the Traffic & Road Safety Report from the County Council Area Operations Officer, including the remaining lining programme. Following the report, Members were invited to raise any comments.

Members reported the following items at the meeting:

·        The absence of on-road speed limit markings following the introduction of the revised speed limits.

·        The new bus stops on Oxford Hill did not have ‘bus cages’ marked out.

·        Junction linings at Queen Emmas Dyke.

·        The ‘SLOW’ road marking had not been reinstated on Valence Crescent since the re-surfacing work, this issue has previously been reported but not yet acted upon.

Members were updated that the signage for implementation of new 20mph limits was continuing to be reviewed. On-road markings were not a legal requirement, but requests could be submitted for areas of concern.

Members were updated that the consultation period for Traffic Calming at The Leys was now complete. Given that objections have been raised, the OCC Officer would need time to review and address the issues that had been raised ahead of the proposal being determined. Further input from Witney Town Council and Witney Traffic Advisory Committee was welcomed for consideration by OCC Officers and Cabinet Members.

Resolved:

1. That, Members should email the OCC Officer directly with the details of any lining works required and include specific locations; and

2. That, Members should email the OCC Officer with areas of concern for speed limit road markings. These would be considered for the works list; and

3. That, Oxfordshire County Council budget setting is in process for 2023/2024 works, a further update will be available at the next meeting of this Committee; and

4. That, Witney Town Council would submit further feedback on the Leys traffic calming proposal to OCC following further engagement with nearby residents

Councillor A Prosser arrived at 2:45pm

Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting.  Any member of the public who so wishes may speak, at this point in the meeting, for a maximum of five minutes on any matter relating to an item on the agenda.

A resident from Madley Park joined the meeting at 2:50pm and asked to speak about the bus stops and bus services from Madley Park With the express permission of the Chair this was permitted at this point during the meeting.

Resolved:

1. That, Cllr Aitman, as ward member for Witney East, contacts the resident further should information be forthcoming and;

2. That, the Town Council investigates the condition of the bus shelters.

To receive a progress update at the meeting from the Oxfordshire County Council team leading the Witney High Street Project team.

The Oxfordshire County Council Programme Lead for the Witney High Street Scheme attended and gave a brief update, followed by questions from Members.

The Committee were advised that no key dates or timescales had been confirmed but plans were in progress. Stakeholder briefings had already started and further briefings would take place at the end of January/beginning of February. Pre-design public engagement would be in the Spring, potentially the beginning of May. The engagement, design and consultation processes would take several months, possibly a year to bring to fruition due to the amount of work involved.

Resolved:

That, the verbal update be noted.

Councillor D Enright arrived at 3:34pm - During the discussion item T58 Witney High Street

To receive and consider the draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan for Witney, produced by Oxfordshire County Council.

The Committee may like to enter a response to the public consultation on this plan which is running until 20 January 2023.

The Chair and other members acknowledged the amount of work that has been invested to date and that these efforts had resulted in a solid draft plan resulting from a good variety of online and in-person engagement. Members reflected on a well drafted initial list of priorities, a good framework upon which more work could follow.

A member raised the issue of a refuge island at Witan Way (when you were crossing near/from Farm Mill Lane).

Improvements for the five-ways roundabout were discussed, there was mixed feedback about the idea of a ‘Dutch roundabout’. Members agreed that more needed to be done to come up with a proposal that does work and offers a safer solution for all users.

Members discussed the ongoing proposals for traffic calming measures at The Leys. Further improvements for pedestrians and cyclists were suggested, including the potential for a segregated use path.

Resolved:

1. That the Draft Plan be noted and,

2. A consultation response be submitted to Oxfordshire County Council on behalf of the Committee encompassing the points discussed

To receive an update from members present on latest changes to public transport, if appropriate.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Parish Transport Representative.

The government funded £2 Bus Fare Cap Scheme has been welcomed and applied to Stagecoach services in Witney.

The West Oxfordshire Community Transport services did not benefit from the fare cap scheme, but Members were reminded that the child fare of just £1 applies to individuals aged from 5years to 25years – young residents could travel anywhere in the town for £1.

The Committee were updated on work happening behind the scenes to accommodate the forth-coming Botley Road closure in Oxford.

To receive a letter from the Headteacher of Wood Green School.

The Committee received correspondence from the Head Teacher of Wood Green School, acknowledging the positive impact of reduced traffic speeds following the introduction of a 20mph speed limit on Woodstock Road.

Resolved:

That, the correspondence be noted, and the letter be acknowledged by Witney Town Council Officers.

To receive an email from a resident regarding cyclists speeding over the new 20MPH speed limits.

The Committee received correspondence from a resident concerning cyclists exceeding the new 20mph speed limits.

A member advised that in general, cyclists did not have a legal obligation to adhere to the same speed limits as motorists. Speed limits listed in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, and the Highway Code related to motor vehicles. It was possible for local byelaws to impose speed limits, no such byelaw could be referenced for Witney.

Resolved:

That, Witney Town Council Officers respond to advise the resident of the limited application of speed limits.

To receive correspondence from Cllr R Smith regarding resident’s concerns and suggestions for the pedestrian crossing at Harvest Way/Barleyfield Way.

The Committee received correspondence from Cllr. Ruth Smith concerning parking on Harvest Way, particularly near the Barleyfield Way turn.

Resolved:

That, Witney Town Council would forward this correspondence to Oxfordshire County Council to explore further.

To receive and consider any pressing matters from members which may be added to the next meeting agenda for consideration.

The Deputy Town Clerk read out an update from Thames Valley Police regarding the newly introduced speed restrictions and enforcement via community Speedwatch schemes.

The following items were raised for inclusion on the next agenda:

·        Community Speedwatch – start formulating a plan.

·        The consideration of a pedestrian crossing at West End

·        Bridge Street Area Appraisal

Resolved:

That, the issues raised be added to the next agenda.

To receive the date of the next meeting of Witney Traffic Advisory Committee for information.

Members were advised that the next scheduled meeting of this committee would be on Tuesday 21 March.

Resolved:

That, the date of the next meeting be noted.