Agenda item
Motion D: Barnard Gate Junction Safety Improvements - Proposed by Councillor Liam Walker, Seconded by Councillor Lysette Nicholls.
The junction onto the A40 at Barnard Gate has, for some time, been a collision hotspot risking the safety of drivers and cyclists, along with impacting nearby communities when the road has to be closed. This council is concerned by the safety of this junction.
Council Resolves to ask the Leader of the Council to:
1. Write to the Cabinet Member for Transport Management at Oxfordshire County Council, to request that a road safety assessment is conducted, and to ask the County Council act on any suggested safety improvements.
Minutes:
Councillor Liam Walker introduced the motion, which would request that the Leader of the Council write to the Cabinet Member for Transport Management at Oxfordshire County Council, to request that a road safety assessment is conducted at the Barnard Gate A40 junction, and to ask the County Council to act on any suggested safety improvements.
Councillor Walker highlighted the number of accidents that had occurred over recent months at the junction, and the press coverage that the incidents had created. Councillor Walker acknowledged that whilst that the location was not within his own district ward, all Members would be aware of the situations that occur from the junction, its strategic location on the A40, and that West Oxfordshire District Council is the parent local authority, and are the most appropriate body to make representation to the County Council.
Councillor Walker further highlighted an online petition in his name, and thanked those who had contributed for their support in highlighting issues and concerns that the junction raises in its current form.
In debate, many members stated their support for the motion, and members agreed that the junction requires improvements, and that safety assessments would need to be undertaken. It was also highlighted that members of the Council, who also serve as County Councillors, had made representations to the Cabinet Member responsible for the subject matter. It was further highlighted that the Motion may have been more appropriate to be taken to Oxfordshire County Council, and for engagement with Members of the particular County Division and the Cabinet Member with the aligning portfolio.
Members also stated their concerns over the safety of cyclists and pedestrians at the junction, and that they are as much affected by the junction as well as motorists.
Members also highlighted the concerns that residents of the local area have using the junction by accessing the A40 from the villages of Freeland and Hanborough, and the stretch of the A40 is also used as a major commuting route to and from Oxford, to places such as Cheltenham.
Members of the Council acknowledged the increased workload of the emergency services in relation to the junction, when attending accidents and providing life saving care. In addition, Members paid tribute to Councillor Michael Brooker for his professional work in this area with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (OFRS). Councillor Brooker stated that he had attended the junction numerous times whilst on duty, and that whilst the junction has a notable increase on OFRS’s workload, he was in support of the motion.
Members also recognised that other junctions along the A40 in the district do have similar issues with road safety, and that roads were not the cause of accidents. Members highlighted driving habits of motorists were the main reason for the number of accidents recorded.
Members also highlighted budget constrains at Central Government level had meant that work relating to the junction had been phased and delayed.
Members also noted that the volume of accidents and near misses gained hefty traction on social media platforms connected to the County, and that issues were well documented by the public and press.
Members raised concerns regarding excess traffic within the local area when accidents occur and when the A40 is closed. Surrounding villages are known to become gridlocked as a result, and Members stated that this would need to be taken into consideration when representations are made to the County Council. Members also stated that overall journey times on the A40 were projected to increase over coming years, and that unless improvement work more generally were undertaken, the ongoing issues that are faced, would deteriorate further. It was also suggested that the proposed rail link between Carterton, Witney and Oxford would also help in this area.
In seconding the motion, Councillor Lysette Nicholls stated her gratitude for Members who had stated they would support the motion and those who were supportive of an improvement process to get underway. Councillor Nicholls also alluded to the accident statistics of the junction, and that this was a key indicator in bringing forward recommendations for safety improvement works.
Councillor Nicholls also stated the issues that impact local villages when accidents occur at Barnard Gate, and the effect this has on villages such as Standlake, Stanton Harcourt and South Leigh.
Councillor Liam Walker proposed the motion as set out on the agenda paper, be adopted by Council. Councillor Walker summed up by thanking the Members who had contributed to the debate and those who were supportive of the motion. This was seconded by Councillor Lysette Nicholls, was put to a vote, and was unanimously agreed by Council.
Council Resolved to pass the following Motion:
1. The junction onto the A40 at Barnard Gate has, for some time, been a collision hotspot risking the safety of drivers and cyclists, along with impacting nearby communities when the road has to be closed. This council is concerned by the safety of this junction.
Council Resolves to:
1. Write to the Cabinet Member for Transport Management at Oxfordshire County Council, to request that a road safety assessment is conducted, and to ask the County Council act on any suggested safety improvements.