Agenda and draft minutes

To elect a Chair of the Advisory Committee for the municipal year.

Nominations were sought for the position of Chair for the municipal year.

It was proposed and duly seconded that Cllr Duncan Enright be elected Chair. There being no other nominations it was:

Resolved:

That, Councillor Duncan Enright be elected Chair of the Advisory Committee for the municipal year.

To receive and consider apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor J Aitman with Councillor R Crouch attending as a substitute.

Councillor A Prosser submitted his apologies after the meeting had commenced, and as such, they could not be formally communicated during the meeting.

Apologies were also received from Tom Weaver (Pulhams) and Adrian Bullock (Witney Chamber of Commerce)

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.

The Committee received representations from two residents. A resident of Woodstock Road concerning Agenda Item 13(a), and a resident regarding the Witney High Street enhancements, Agenda Item 7.

The Committee received the minutes of the Witney Traffic Advisory Committee meeting held on 24 June 2025.

Resolved:

That, the minutes of the Witney Traffic Advisory Committee meeting held on 24 June 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive the Committee Terms of Reference and resolve if there are any changes to be made.

The Committee received and considered its constitution and terms of reference which were reviewed annually at this the annual meeting.

It was proposed by Cllr A Coles and subsequently agreed, that a Vice-Chair be elected for future meetings. With regards to organisation representatives, a Member proposed a taxi representative and although they did not speak for a local taxi organisation it was felt that they should be elected to pass on important information to others.

Resolved:

1.      That, the Committee Terms of Reference be re-adopted with the following amendments:

2.      To section 5 to include the election of a Vice Chair, the voting for this taking place at the next meeting and,

3.      That, the taxi representative in attendance be elected to the Advisory Committee.

To receive and consider the report of the Lead Officer/Team Leader – Place, Planning and Coordination West.

Members received and considered the report of Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) which included updates on the development of the A40 junction at Shores Green, access to Witney complementary measures, Witney High Street improvements, proposals for Fiveways Roundabout, Footpath Improvements for Madley Park and Windrush Place, the implementation of crossings on Deer Park Road, St Mary’s Churchyard no cycling signage, and the area to be covered in their lining refurbishment schedule.

Access to Witney - Shores Green

OCC Officers provided a project and construction update on the Shores Green slip road; the project was progressing five weeks ahead of schedule due to good weather conditions and was still on target to be completed summer 2026.

Officers also provided a brief update on the complementary measures, regarding the redesignation of the A4095 which would follow the opening of the new slip road.

Witney Paths and Crossings

The Committee received an update on progress across the scheme. Site assessments and design work are underway for Madley Park and Windrush Place paths, incorporating stakeholder feedback on safety and lighting. Feasibility designs for Deer Park Road toucan and Pegasus crossings were nearing completion, with surveys and legal work finalised.

A procurement strategy was being prepared for submission to the Active Travel Programme Board, with detailed design expected to follow later this year; a consultant had been appointed to support the next phase.

A Member, disappointed by the delay in delivery of the projects asked that indicative plans and dates be provided by OCC for circulation.

Fiveways Roundabout - Vision Zero Programme

Members were updated on the public consultation for the Fiveways Roundabout scheme, which closed on 5 September 2025; they heard that the scheme was scheduled for consideration at Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member Decision meeting on 9 October 2025.

St Mary’s Churchyard Cycle Signage

The Committee noted that the Town Council had raised concerns about cycling through the churchyard. OCC had proposed clearer signage, however funding remained a barrier to implementation.

A Member asked whether the path refurbishment here would be carried out at the same time as the signage installation; Officers advised this was unlikely.

Lining Refurbishment Schedule

OCC officers informed the Committee of the upcoming lining refurbishment works in Witney, which included new ‘Keep Clear’ or ‘Turning Only’ markings at Moorland Close, refreshed road markings along Crawley Road, and junction protection and keep clear markings at Station Lane (Avenue Two).

Resolved:

1.      That, the updates from OCC officers be noted and,

2.      That, OCC Officers provide details of the Deer Park & Madley Park pathway changes.

To receive and consider the report of the Civil Enforcement Team.

Members received the recent data along with a verbal report from the OCC Civil Enforcement Officer regarding parking and enforcement activity across Witney during the period June to August 2025, which included recent actions taken and areas of focus.

It was noted that recruitment challenges continued to affect the enforcement team, with staffing around 40 officers compared to the intended level of 50.

A Member thanked the officer for the report and congratulated his team on their work, while requesting increased monitoring along Welch Way due to parking causing obstructions to buses and traffic.

However in response to a Member’s question regarding the High Street ANPR enforcement start date, the Officer advised there was currently no definite commencement date as the Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) was not yet in place, however it was hoped this would be resolved and that ANPR enforcement would be in place early in early 2026.

Another Member raised concerns about Pulham’s buses parking for extended periods in the Market Square stops A and D whist taking rest breaks, it was agreed that Enforcement officers would monitor the site, and the issue had been raised with Pulham’s’ Operations Manager at the annual Bus Users meeting held on 3 September 2025.

Resolved:

That, that the update be noted.

Cllr R Crouch joined the meeting during the following item at 3.38pm

To receive a response from Officers regarding the issue of space at the Market Square bus stops as raised by the Operations Manager for Stagecoach.

The Committee received a response from OCC officers regarding the ongoing capacity issues at the Market Square bus stops, as previously raised by the Operations Manager for Stagecoach. Officers confirmed that they were aware of the challenges and that a range of design options were under consideration.

It was noted that the proposals included a dedicated stop for community buses. However, Members expressed concern about the suitability of the proposed location, highlighting the difficulty posed by the uphill walk to the main stop, particularly for elderly and vulnerable users. Members requested assurance that adequate seating and a shelter would be incorporated into any final design to ensure accessibility and comfort for all users.

Resolved:

1.      That the update be noted, and

2.      OCC officers be asked to consider the comments made by Members during the discussion for the design plans.

To receive a verbal update from the Infrastructure Delivery Project Manager for the scheme.

Witney High Street Enhancements

The Committee received an update from the Infrastructure Delivery Project Manager for the High Street & Market Square enhancements. Members were advised that the project was currently at the contractor procurement stage and remained subject to further consultation, which the team hoped to complete within the year. Members' questions were addressed, and several points were clarified, including matters relating to the taxi and bus waiting area. Officers would review and provide updated information at the next meeting of the Committee.

Following public consultation, a number of accessibility improvements had been incorporated into the evolving design, along with increased flexibility for un/loading and business access. However, Members raised several ongoing concerns during the discussion.

There was particular concern regarding bus stop capacity, especially given the rising levels of bus usage. Members reiterated the importance of providing adequate shelter for community bus users, many of whom are elderly or vulnerable. The proposed provision of only three taxi spaces was also considered insufficient, with concerns that this may result in taxis encroaching on the designated community bus stop. A suggestion was made that the taxi rank spaces be reconfigured at a 45-degree angle to improve capacity and flow. In addition, a Member suggested the longer-term consideration of a dedicated bus station to better accommodate increasing public transport demand.

OCC officers acknowledged these comments and noted that funding for the scheme remains limited, though feedback from Members would continue to be taken into account as the design progressed.

It was further reported that trial hole investigation works were scheduled to take place overnight commencing 27 September 2025. These works would verify the depths and alignments of existing underground services and are a critical step in supporting the design phase.

Members again raised concerns about the ability of large vehicles to manoeuvre between High Street and Welch Way under the proposed layout. It was suggested that relocating the proposed zebra crossing, or retaining the existing roundabout, would improve this access. Officers advised that these points had been noted in the consultation feedback and confirmed that the design team would investigate these issues further and report back at the next meeting.

Resolved:

1.      That the update be noted and that,

2.      Officers bring updates on the issues raised to the next meeting of the Committee on 20 January 2026.

To receive notice of a Statutory Consultation on Traffic Orders for High Street/Market Square.

Details can be found at:

https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/witney_highstmarketsq_highway2025

The Committee received notice of a statutory consultation regarding the proposed Traffic Orders relating to the High Street and Market Square Enhancement Scheme, Members were informed that full details of the consultation are available online.

It was agreed that no official response would be submitted by the Advisory Committee.

Resolved:

That, the consultation be noted.

To receive a verbal update from the Deputy Town Clerk, Witney Town Council.

The Committee received a verbal update from Councillor Coles regarding the Community Speedwatch scheme. The scheme had been operating for approximately 20 months, during which time 11 monitoring sessions had been carried out. Two of these sessions were conducted on Woodstock Road, which was noted in response to a concern raised by a member of the public attending the meeting.

Approximately 3,000 vehicles had been monitored across all sessions, with around 11% found to be exceeding the speed limit. Councillor Coles acknowledged the support of the Town Council in its administration of the Speedwatch scheme and that efforts were underway to recruit an additional group administrator to support the scheme’s activities, and the next monitoring session was planned for October.

In response to a Member's query about how monitoring sites were selected, it was explained that all locations must be authorised by Thames Valley Police (TVP), however local insight and community feedback also played a key role in identifying areas of concern.

Resolved:

That the verbal update be noted.

To receive correspondence and statistics from TVP Safer Roads Unit for information.

Members received correspondence and statistical data from the Thames Valley Police (TVP) Safer Roads Unit for information.

Resolved:

1. That, the TVP road safety statistics be noted and,

2. That, they continue to be brought to this Committee for information.

To receive an update from member’s present on the Witney Bus User’s Meeting held on 3^rd September 2025 and any further public transport matters, if appropriate.

The Committee received an update from Members who had attended the Witney Bus Users’ Meeting held on 3 September 2025. The event was reported to be a success, with around 50 members of the public in attendance, and feedback was positive, with praise for local bus services. The Parish Transport Representative also noted that several complimentary comments had been received from residents of neighbouring parishes.

A Member asked whether the meeting would be held again next year, and it was confirmed that a formal request would need to be submitted to the Town Council. A proposal to do so was made by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Coles, and agreed unanimously.

A question was raised regarding whether the Oxford Tube service would operate at weekends in the run-up to Christmas. It was confirmed that this would not be possible due to a lack of available vehicles.

Additionally, the possibility of relocating the bus depot from Witney to Carterton was raised, as the operator was reportedly outgrowing the current site.

Members again raised concerns about the H2 bus service, which currently dropped passengers on Welch Way, for the hospital and Corn Street bus garage however they did not provide a corresponding pick-up service at those locations. Cllr A Coles would look into the matter and report back at the next meeting.

Resolved:

1.      That, the update be noted and,

2.      That, a formal request be submitted to Witney Town Council to support the organisation of another Bus Users’ Meeting in 2026 and,

3.      That, Cllr Coles report back on the H2 service routing issue at the next meeting.

To receive notification of the public consultation on the County Council’s strategic vision for improved rail travel in Oxfordshire over the next 15 years (OxRAIL 2040).

A Summary report is attached as Appendix A, further documents and details of the consultation are available at: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/railplan.

The Committee received notification of Oxfordshire County Council’s public consultation on OxRAIL 2040, a summary report was included as Appendix A, with further documents and consultation details available online. Members were informed that the consultation was open until 1 October 2025.

During discussion, a Member noted that the proposals did not currently include provision for Witney or Carterton, despite significant planned housing developments in the area and existing congestion issues along the A40 corridor. There was a call for better integration of bus and rail services, alongside park and ride infrastructure, to improve connectivity and support sustainable travel.

A question was also raised regarding the potential location of a future station serving the area, and the affordability of rail travel for local residents.

Resolved:

That the consultation be noted, and that Members’ comments be recorded for potential future engagement on rail connectivity in the wider West Oxfordshire area.

To receive correspondence from a resident of Woodstock Road, Witney.

Correspondence as well as verbal representation earlier in the meeting was received from a resident regarding traffic issues on Woodstock Road, Witney.

OCC Officers advised that improvements to this route were anticipated through measures linked to the Access to Witney Transport Assessment, the opening of the Shores Green Slip Road, and the proposed reclassification of the A4095. In response to a Member’s query about signage and potential re-routing, it was confirmed that such measures had already been proposed within the wider transport planning context.

It was confirmed that there were no specific traffic calming interventions in place for this section of road, and there were no fixed speed cameras within the existing 20mph zones. A suggestion was made for Thames Valley Police to carry out roadside monitoring, and a request to be put forward for the deployment of mobile speed monitoring equipment as well as consideration of the use of temporary speed awareness boards.

Resolved:

That the correspondence be noted and the request for mobile speed monitoring on Woodstock Road be passed to Thames Valley Police for consideration.

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

No additional matters were raised by Members beyond those already discussed during the meeting.

Resolved:

That the item be noted.

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

The next scheduled meetings will be held:

20 January 2026

17 March 2026

Members were advised the next meeting of the Committee would be held on 20 January 2026.