Accessing Science Vale UK - SCOTS - Recommended Strategic Transport Report (Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats)

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Accessing Science Vale UK - SCOTS - Recommended Strategic Transport Report

September 15, 2009 3:41 PM
By Cllr Zoe Patrick in County Cabinet

I welcome the fact that this report is now at Cabinet after the earlier delays which had made many of us think that everything would be on hold for at least another month.

As pointed out in the report, the work of this study is vital to inform the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire's Local Development Framework proposals and as the new title of the report shows it is how to access Science Vale UK, and other key locations for employment in the Vale and South areas.

What I am hoping to urge the Cabinet to do today is to

• Complete feasibility work for all recommended schemes, including estimated costs.

• Produce a phasing and delivery report to assess when schemes need to be designed and implemented in relation to levels of development and how they will be funded, including key trigger points.

• Assess the impacts of the proposed development and transport schemes to 2026 outside the SCOTS boundary.

This work needs to be undertaken as soon as possible and adequate resources need to be in place now to complete this work in time for the Vale to complete its Core Strategy submission in the New Year.

I remember when the Council had to give direction to SEEDA as to where extra housing should go in the light of increased numbers being requested by government, and despite public consultation and the recommendation of the Council to direct the growth to Didcot and Bicester this was overturned in favour of the South of the County which included Didcot and Grove & Wantage. Well, the only way this strategy can possibly work is if the vital road infrastructure is provided early on in the development; indeed before any houses can be built. Transport planners have told me that a 3 mile traffic queue out of the Grove development will happen every morning unless something is done. Hence the Wantage Eastern Relief Road is on the list.

I also notice the Grove and Wantage Rail station is mentioned and hope that this will be progressed further as part of the plans; I note in the report that there will need to be negotiation with Network Rail and service providers.

The report refers to consultation with local people to identify recommended schemes and that further consultation will need to take place. I hope that this does indeed take place. I remember that one of the areas which was raised at public consultation was the need to do something about the Hanney - Steventon road which currently takes traffic from Grove and the Hanneys to Didcot and Milton park. There is no mention of this in the report, but this does need to be addressed unless everyone is waiting for the reservoir to come and as such make it a responsibility for Thames Water to address.

I look forward to hearing more and in particular, how the schemes will be funded.