We are in challenging times, as you will have noticed, says Cllr Dan Levy...
Covid advice
I had hoped not to have to mention Covid again, but numbers are rising rapidly. Can I pass on the advice from Ansaf Azhar, OCC’s Director for Public Health:
“Currently there are no restrictions but there is still good, solid guidance ... to protect people and their families, particularly vulnerable and elderly people.
“Stay at home if you feel unwell – and continue to reduce the risk of COVID spreading by ventilating indoor spaces and washing your hands. During good weather being outdoors rather than indoors also helps reduce risks.
“We expect to see fluctuations and it remains the case we need to learn to live with COVID, but ... I would ask people to take precautions while cases are on the rise. We all need to play our part to live safely.”
We are in a period of rapidly rising prices. This affects everyone, but has a higher impact on people in many rural locations, if they have a reliance on motor vehicles or are not connected to the gas network. Although gas and electricity prices are rising quickly, there is at least a cap, unlike with bottled gas or tanked oil. The County Council is lobbying government to enable us to offer some support. We had tabled a motion to the Council meeting on 12 July to add force to this effort, but unfortunately the meeting closed prior to the debate on this topic, after a walkout by opposition members. It was extremely unsatisfactory not to be able to air the concerns of residents in public. We are fortunate in Eynsham that most people have mains gas and electricity, and good public transport, but there are still a lot of residents who are starting to find it difficult to manage the pressures on their finances.
Vision Zero
Following the tragic deaths of cyclists in Oxfordshire, the county has adopted ‘Vision Zero’, a vision to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries in the county. The decision adds weight to efforts to improve cycle and walking infrastructure and reduce speeds. I was pleased to speak on behalf of this motion as County Active Travel Champion. Of course, it is easier to have a vision than to put it into practice - we must promote safe walking and cycling infrastructure especially at road junctions, and we have to apply our vision in the countryside as well as the city. Unfortunately, we are still building cycle facilities that are not up to standard, and that includes the proposed A40 layout. So much work still to do.
Some good news is that Oxfordshire has been granted extra powers to enforce traffic violations using ANPR cameras. This permission is for specific places, but we can apply for additional locations in the future. Up to now, only Cardiff and London councils have had these powers. Among other things, these powers will make delivering “school streets”, where motor vehicles are restricted in school entry and exit times, much easier.
Bus Improvements
The cabinet approved a plan to improve bus services and use the £12.7 million Oxfordshire secured from national government. The plan includes cheaper fares for under-19s, 2 new rural services (around Didcot and Bicester), and bus priority improvements and traffic filters (in Oxford). Improvements to bus stops, real time information, and the quality of buses are also planned. The plan will be consulted on with the bus companies and needs government sign off.
I appreciate that such improvements might feel a bit remote for people off the main bus routes – but we are constrained by government policy and the availability of grants from central government. I and others will keep banging the drum for rural services.
The services run by Stagecoach via Eynsham are among their most successful. They have said that the building of the Park and Ride and the changes to the A40 will enable them to run additional services to the hospitals and city, and I hope this will prove to be the case.
HIF1 and HIF2
The cabinet of OCC have agreed to proceed with Housing Infrastructure Fund 1 (‘HIF1’), consisting of 4 road / bridge projects around Didcot. While it is an inherited Conservative project, the Lib-Dem led administration worked to improve provision for active travel and public transport, as well as better mitigate cost risks to the council
HIF2 is the A40 project. The cabinet approved merging the project with the P&R project to give more flexibility in the finances and more control over timescales. There are still lots of areas that need improvement in the A40 plans, particularly to make crossing between Eynsham and Salt Cross safe and convenient.
In addition, the Shores Green project, to deliver westbound access to and eastbound access from the A40 at Cogges, looks like coming for approval in the next few months. It may change traffic patterns to the south of the A40, and I would expect some new A40 avoidance routes and “preferred” ways between the A40 and A420.
Eynsham traffic
There appears to have been an increase in HGVs using Eynsham as a short cut. This is of course illegal, as there is a 7.5 tonne weight limit in the village. Particularly regrettable is HGV drivers attempting to turn from Mill Street into Acre End Street, despite the very clear signage on Mill Street forbidding this. Officers at the County Council are considering what else can be done to prevent this access by HGVs. In the meantime, please do try to get details of the miscreants – company, time, preferably reg number, and let me know.
The Jolly Sportsman is taking the brunt of the problem. Acre End Street will be closed for a period in August while the frontage of the pub is repaired.
I had an interesting morning watching traffic outside the primary school. It was encouraging to see how many pupils were arriving by foot or bike, but also how selfish some drivers were being. We need to make it safer for active travel and protect young residents from pollution. I will draw up some suggested improvements.
As ever, I can be contacted by email or phone (07852 748 362) at any time.</