Agenda item

Report of Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy

Purpose of report

This report is seeks the Executive’s endorsement and support for the Bicester Sustainable Transport Strategy as the Council’s commitment to sustainable transport in the town recognising its role in accommodating growth and integrating new and existing neighbourhoods.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To consider and note the Bicester Sustainable Transport Strategy.

1.2         To endorse the Strategy’s vision and principles.

1.3         To support the Strategy as the basis of further work to inform Part 2 of the Cherwell Local Plan, the Oxfordshire Local Transport Plan and other documents.

1.4         To note the next steps required to develop an action plan to deliver priorities in the short, medium and long term as schemes and funding opportunities are progressed.

Resolved

(1)          That the Bicester Sustainable Transport Strategy be noted.

(2)          That, subject to resolutions (5) and (6), the Strategy’s vision and principles be endorsed.

(3)          That the Strategy be supported as the basis of further work to inform Part 2 of the Cherwell Local Plan, the Oxfordshire Local Transport Plan and other documents.

(4)          That the next steps required to develop an action plan to deliver priorities in the short, medium and long term as schemes and funding opportunities be progressed.

(5)          That it be noted that the future of Market Square would require reappraisal after Pioneer Square Phase 2 was embedded.

(6)          That authority be delegated to the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy, in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning, to amend the wording of the Principles and Vision regarding Market Square to reflect the sentiment of Members and resolution (5).

The Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy submitted a report which sought the Executive’s endorsement and support for the Bicester Sustainable Transport Strategy as the Council’s commitment to sustainable transport in the town recognising its role in accommodating growth and integrating new and existing neighbourhoods.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Lawrie Stratford addressed the meeting.

In response to the address, the Chairman confirmed that the future of Market Square would require reappraisal after Pioneer Square Phase 2 was embedded. Members subsequently agreed that the wording in Principles and Vision regarding Market Square should be amended to reflect this.

Resolved

(1)          That the Bicester Sustainable Transport Strategy be noted.

(2)          That, subject to resolutions (5) and (6), the Strategy’s vision and principles be endorsed.

(3)          That the Strategy be supported as the basis of further work to inform Part 2 of the Cherwell Local Plan, the Oxfordshire Local Transport Plan and other documents.

(4)          That the next steps required to develop an action plan to deliver priorities in the short, medium and long term as schemes and funding opportunities be progressed.

(5)          That it be noted that the future of Market Square would require reappraisal after Pioneer Square Phase 2 was embedded.

(6)          That authority be delegated to the Head of Strategic Planning and the Economy, in consultation with the Lead Member for Planning, to amend the wording of the Principles and Vision regarding Market Square to reflect the sentiment of Members and resolution (5).

Reasons

The Bicester Sustainable Transport Strategy (STS) is a key document in supporting improvements to the Bicester transport network. It reviews and summarises the policy context and best practice from the UK and Europe. The vision and principles support the shift to more sustainable travel in the future providing a framework for infrastructure improvements and behaviour change. Detailed designs have been prepared by Sustrans for the central corridor route.

The Strategy is necessary to ensure that the future growth of Bicester can be accommodated. Improvements and enhancements to the public transport network will ensure that opportunities for bus and train journeys are optimised. The Strategy will contribute to the creation of an attractive town by integrating new and existing neighbourhoods with easy access for pedestrians and cyclists linking to exemplary public transport facilities and services. It has an important role in integrating new development with the existing town through sustainable connections and enhancements to key routes in and around the town. By creating an attractive place to live, work and visit the STS will enhance Bicester’s reputation as a place to invest and develop new neighbourhoods innovatively and sustainably. The proposed improvements to the peripheral routes form an essential part of the strategy by removing some of the vehicular through traffic from the town centre and providing the opportunity to integrate the existing and new development with sustainable transport connections.

The STS has informed policy documents and proposals such as the LTP4 Bicester Area Strategy and will continue to do so. By endorsing and supporting the STS it will give it weight and demonstrate the commitment of CDC to the delivery the sustainable transport ambitions for Bicester. Officers will continue to identify priorities and secure funding through developer contributions, CIL, LEP funding to deliver an action plan as a rolling programme of infrastructure improvements in Bicester.

Alternative options

Option 1: To adopt the STS as a Supplementary Planning Document

This option was rejected as it will lead to delay to the preparation of the document and is considered unnecessary as the STS will be used to inform CLP Part 2 and the LTP4. It would also require additional resources to complete.

Option 2: To await publication of the STS until further detail is received to complete the Delivery Plan

This option was rejected given the uncertainty of funding streams. It would lead to undue delay, resulting in some sections becoming outdated and prevent the document being used to secure funding bids. The current delivery plan relates to the strategy document and demonstrates how the strategy could be delivered. As such, it is illustrative and will be worked up in greater detail by officers with elements incorporated into the Cherwell Local Plan Infrastructure Delivery Plan.