Agenda item

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, Witney High Street improvements, proposals for Fiveways Roundabout and Corn Street, Windrush Place Active Travel Schemes, Footpath Improvements for Madley Park, implementation of a Footpath at Guild Close (Thorney Leys), school travel, proposed parking changes on Church Green and Corn Street, and drainage issues behind Wood Green School.

Shores Green

OCC Officers provided updates on the Shores Green development. A Member asked if a monthly update could be provided for residents to keep them informed of the progress. Officers informed Members that updates were available via the dedicated “access to Witney” page on OCC’s website.

Witney High Street/Market Square

OCC Officers provided an update regarding the Witney High Street/Market Square project, confirming that construction would start in July. Consent had been granted for the implementation of the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to enforce the existing Traffic Regulation Order.

Officers confirmed the current project spend and informed the Committee that further funding had been acquired. However, the overall budget was still not confirmed.

In response to a member’s questions regarding when final plans would be available for public viewing and whether groundwork surveys have been carried out to determine suitable locations for the planned trees to mitigate future root issues, Officers advised the final plans would be made available in May, and assured the Committee that groundwork surveys would be conducted to identify the best planting locations for the trees.

Additionally, a Member asked if the design would consider the immediate surrounding areas, including the mini roundabout at the junction of Corn Street/High Street. Officers confirmed that details would be available in the final design.

Lastly, a question was raised about the reduction of bus stops from four down to two. Officers could not confirm this was part of the design, but informed Members again that any change would be included in the final plans.

Officers completed their update with confirmation that any works if would be suspended when needed for example, Christmas trading and Remembrance Day , with the preference that no major work be ongoing during the festive period/Remembrance Sunday.

Fiveways Roundabout

Officers provided a short update on the Vision Zero programme for the Fiveways Roundabout. The Vision Zero team was currently consolidating information to review and amend plans. Further consultation on the plans would continue in May after the County Council election period.

Corn Street

Members were informed that work had commenced on redesigning a section of Corn Street as part of the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). Work was due to be completed by the end of April.

Windrush Place Active Travel Scheme

Officers provided an update on the Windrush Active Travel Scheme, noting that designs were due to be completed by the end of April. Again, public consultations on the scheme would take place in May, following the elections.

Footpath Improvements for Madley Park

An update was provided regarding the planned footpath enhancements in Madley Park to improve pedestrian safety and access. Public consultations on the improvements would take place in May, following the County elections.

Implementation of a Footpath at Guild Close

Members were informed that the new footpath at Guild Close had been completed.

School Travel

Members welcomed news that Witney Community Primary School and Wood Green School were actively engaging with the OCC school travel team and would be taking part in Walk to School Week. Members discussed complaints from residents in the vicinity of the schools concerning parking issues during peak school pick-up and drop-off times. It was noted that this had caused congestion and inconvenience for local residents. The Committee acknowledged that encouraging more families to walk to school could help reduce traffic and improve safety in the area.

Proposed Parking Changes on Church Green and Corn Street

Officers provided an update on the proposed parking changes, which had now been approved. The Chair informed members that residents had now received letters informing them of the scheme and how they apply for an exemption permit and that the parking changes would be in place from 7 April.

Drainage Issues Behind Wood Green School

The ongoing drainage issues behind Wood Green School were under investigation to find a long-term resolution. A Member asked if regular leaf litter clearing could be carried out to prevent future drainage blockages and ensure that similar issues did not arise again. OCC Officers agreed to investigate this request and consider a more frequent leaf clearing schedule for the area.

Traffic flow data

OCC Officers provided traffic flow data, specifically the annual average two-way traffic flow around Witney, as previously requested by a Committee Member in relation to their impact on traffic movement and businesses in the area.

Members expressed concerns about the volume of traffic passing through Bridge Street and hoped that the Shores Green development would help alleviate this issue. OCC officers informed the Committee that once the Shores Green development was completed, road signage would be updated to re-route traffic away from using Bridge Street.

Members requested that the traffic data be revisited after the completion of the Shores Green development to assess the effectiveness of the traffic management changes.

Resolved:

1. That, the report and verbal update be noted and,
2. That, monthly updates for Shores Green be provided online and,
3. That, OCC Officers review and consider a more frequent leaf clearing schedule for the area around Wood Green School.
4. That, OCC Officers review and update traffic flow data following the completion of the Shores Green development and the updated signage.