Agenda item

To receive and consider a consultation from Oxfordshire County Council on a proposed 20mph speed limit and active travel measures and formulate a response.

The Committee received and considered consultation documents from Oxfordshire County Council proposing 20mph zones and active travel measures in Witney.

Members welcomed these proposals but noted some obvious absences in the scheme which would have been beneficial. The Committee did, however, understand that the additions were the roads most shared by vehicles and cyclists and the funds for the scheme had to be spent quickly. Members were also mindful that areas such as Bridge Street, Mill Street and Tower Hill were too narrow to have any major works carried out in a short time-frame available, but this should not deter more ambitious future plans. In conclusion it was agreed that vast swathes of the town, including the centre were included in the proposals, which was a large-scale change and improvement on what was already in place.

RESOLVED:

1.       That Witney Town Council welcomes the proposals for 20mph speed limits and active travel measures by Oxfordshire County Council. It looks forward to seeing more ambitious plans as the project progresses and asks that further consideration is given to extending the 20mph speed limits into Oxford Hill and Witan Way. This would improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians in those areas and compliment the active travel, east to west corridor.

2.       That these comments be forwarded to Oxfordshire County Council in response to the consultation.