Category: travel

TRANSPORT Minister George Freeman today met with Oxfordshire County Council Leader Ian Hudspeth and City Council Cabinet Member Alex Hollingsworth to hear how the councils are working together on low-carbon transport.

Better transport connections and lower carbon and nitrogen dioxide emissions are at the centre of future transport plans from the two councils, they told the minister. Also, Oxfordshire has become a hub for developing smart travel technologies by using our transport network as a “Living Lab” and by supporting innovation beyond just vehicle manufacturing, with businesses offering the test facilities, measurement, cybersecurity and smart infrastructure that provide an essential mix for bringing forward new travel technologies.

George Freeman MP, who is the Minister for the Future of Transport, said: ““UK leadership in transport technology is helping to make transport greener, safer and more reliable & convenient.

“The great work being done here in Oxfordshire is increasing the uptake of electric vehicles, promoting smart transport technologies and attracting inward investment to create the jobs of tomorrow.

“With world class companies like Oxbotica, a global leader in self driving technology, investing here we have the potential to build a world class cluster. As the PM made clear in his first speech, the new Government has made innovation for connectivity a priority and we will shortly be announcing a series of initiatives to support this vital sector. “

Councillor Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, added: “We were delighted that the new transport minister came to Oxfordshire to see for himself the fast-growing transport technology sector. We are making the most of the technological know-how in our excellent universities and energetic start-up community. But I am also convinced that our success is driven by the environmental concerns of people living and working in Oxfordshire who want to see transport that is both better and cleaner, with the county becoming an exciting test-bed for future technologies.”

Regarding the city of Oxford itself, Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Oxford City Council Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainable Transport, said: ““Oxford is leading the way on innovation to address the environmental impacts of how we travel. This was a great opportunity to demonstrate to the Minister the ways we are rising to the challenge of future transport needs, and to discuss the transport challenges for the city and workforce in the future. Bold measures are needed to address traffic congestion within the constraints of our medieval city.”

A revised road closure notice (back in April it was stated dates would be July 23-26, 2019, for Croft Road, Thame. The revised dates are now August 30 – September 1, 2019.

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice – S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Emergency Road Closure at Queens Road, Thame

Oxfordshire County Council has been informed of a temporary emergency road closure on the Queens Road, Thame whilst repair of water leak works are carried out.   

A temporary Emergency Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 6 June 2019. 

The anticipated completion date is 12 June 2019

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor. 

Further information regarding the emergency works may be obtained by contacting Alice Arhip of Thames Water 0203 577 9058

IN the interests of public safety, it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the road and impose a ‘No Waiting’ restriction as detailed above to facilitate Carriageway Recycling Treatment.

A temporary Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 27 August 2019. 

The anticipated completion date is 30 August 2019

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and restriction and will operate on the days shown above.

Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor. 

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

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Tim Belton, Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11.

UPDATE: Two morning buses from Thame to Aylesbury – 7.14am and 7.42am reinstated but no loop included !
Orginal story: ARRIVA Bus Company has announced the following changes to the 280 / X8 bus services from Sunday, February 17. But not all local bus users are happy.

Bus users on social media are posting that they fear the timetable changes are going to cause significant problems for school, college and other commuters. One parent posted: “One 280 bus at 6.50am and no other bus until 7.43am which will undoubtedly run late because of passenger volume and traffic issues, so the kids will be late for school/registration.”

Arrva say on their website: “The timetable of these services is being revised with service 280 now operating up to every 15 minutes between Haddenham & Thame Parkway station, Thame, and Oxford City Centre, and every 30 minutes to Aylesbury.

“Service X8 will now operate during peak hours only, offering a fast commuter link between Aylesbury, Thame and Oxford. There will be more journeys through to Aylesbury from Oxford in the evening peak compared to the current timetable; the departure time of these journeys has been based on feedback from our customers.”

The timetable can be viewed HERE

FOLLOWING the government’s announcement that ‘Corridor B’ is its preferred option for the proposed Oxford Cambridge Expressway, South Oxfordshire District Council has issued its response.

The government has stated that this route would see a road pass either to the north-west or south-east of Oxford, then north to Bicester and beyond which would be designed to take up to 40 minutes off the journey between the A34 and the M1.

Cllr Jane Murphy, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “It’s important that progress is now being made on the Oxford to Cambridge Corridor. Our residents have been waiting for an update on this issue, which will have a significant impact on life in Oxfordshire. We are disappointed the announcement doesn’t bring the clarity or certainty our residents need about the route around Oxford. We are now calling on the government to confirm their intentions as soon as possible, and we stand by our position that the route to the west of the city is the best outcome for our residents.”

SOUTH Oxfordshire District Housing is exploring whether to take over on-street parking enforcement in the district, which includes Thame.

SODC is contacting Oxfordshire County Council (the highways authority), which is responsible for formally applying for powers and then delegating civil parking enforcement responsibilities, to find out whether this could be possible.

SODC said in a press release today: “We are also looking at the business case involved in taking over enforcement, including costs and projected income.

“Thames Valley Police is currently responsible for this across most of South Oxfordshire, apart from a small number of spaces in Wallingford, which we deal with, and some areas of Henley, which the town council is responsible for.”

Cllr Caroline Newton, South Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, said: “We’re very mindful that problems do exist with on-street parking in some areas of South Oxfordshire. That’s why we’re taking this issue seriously, not only by liaising with the police and partner organisations, but by exploring whether we should apply to take over responsibility for enforcement.

“We’re working on this and there’s lots to be considered. In the meantime, I’d like to encourage motorists to park responsibly and help to keep our towns and villages moving.”

SODC needs to seek formal agreement from Oxfordshire County Council to apply to the Department of Transport to delegate civil parking enforcement powers to our council. If the county council agrees and SODC decides to take over responsibility, a full review will need to be carried out to look at existing car parking orders and yellow lines.

NOTE: Thame Town Council is keen to work with businesses based in the town centre to develop adequate parking opportunities for their staff so that the streets and car parks in the town centre are left free for people coming to access the shops and services in the town. It wants local businesses to encourage their staff to explore the options. Visit: LINK HERE to Thame Town Council’s website for more information.

AFTER months of pothole misery for locals and visitors to Thame, Oxfordshire County Council is to start resurfacing work in Park Street, on Monday, August 6.

The works will include footway resurfacing, replacing damaged kerbs and ironwork, cleaning the existing drainage system, resurfacing of the existing carriageway and the replacement of road markings. The work is expected to last for six days, subject to any bad weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances arising during construction. The work will be carried out in the following phases:

Phase 1 – Monday 6 August to Friday 10 August, 7am to 4pm – full road closure to enable the southern footway to be resurfaced, kerb repairs and footway drainage to be carried out.

Phase 2 – Monday 13 August, 7am to 7pm – full road closure to enable the carriageway resurfacing work to be carried out and replacement road markings.

A signed diversion route will be put in place during the above closures. Park Street will be fully reopened to traffic outside of these periods. There will be no access for buses for the duration of Phase 1 and 2.

Alternative parking arrangements for residents

During phase 2, Park Street will need to be clear of all vehicles to enable the resurfacing work to be carried out. If you usually park your vehicle on Park Street, arrangements have been made with John Hampden County Primary School to use their car park during this period. The car park will be available from 2pm on Sunday 12 August to 9am on Tuesday 14 August. Please ensure all vehicles are moved prior to 7am on 13 August to enable works to start promptly.

Staff will be positioned at either end of the closure to direct traffic and pedestrians to ensure the safety of the public and workforce. Every effort will be made to accommodate vehicular access to properties and business within and adjacent to the works but this may be subject to some delay depending on the activities being carried out on site.

UPDATE –

ARRIVA The Shires have advised that they will not be serving the East Street – Wenman Road loop (280 / X8 buses) for the duration of the above works in Park Street (6/8 to 13/8). Buses will wait their time at the Town Hall or Co-op.

The X8 route goes up East Street stopping at Orchard Close and Churchill Crescent, then via Howland Road, Wenman Road, Thame Park Road & back down Park Street. The 40 goes up East Street (inc Health Centre), Kings Road, Queens Road and out to Towersey (same route on return).