Concerning proposals for A4155 between Station Road and Mill Lane

In 2019 a local consultation took place to increase the speed limit on the A4155 between Station Road and Mill Lane from 30mph to 40mph. It had wide local support and the change was enacted.

The thinking behind this was that:

– the large 40mph signs that would replace the small 30mph repeater signs would make it more obvious that drivers should slow down when approaching the Station Road/Woodlands Road crossroad heading north and the Mill Lane/Memorial Avenue crossroad when heading south

– drivers unfamiliar with the area and local speed limits would be far less likely to attempt dangerous overtaking maneuvers if cars in front were travelling at 40mph rather than 30mph.

The original report can be found here: https://mycouncil.oxfordshire.gov.uk/documents/s45446/CMDE_APR2519R04%20-%20Shiplake%2040%20mph.pdf

The feedback that has been received, is that this was a good decision.

However, in the light of the retirement village development now underway, a proposal has come forward to revert to the previous situation, despite the fact that permission for the retirement village was given in full knowledge of the 40mph limit and this was deemed to be safe. The proposal also contains a number of urbanising features.

Please respond to the consultation here: https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/shiplake_a4155_30mph2022

The deadline is Friday 23rd September.

My recommendation is to object on the grounds of safety and unwelcome urbanisation.

Posted by: David Bartholomew | 26/08/2022 9:42 am

The decision was made today and can be viewed by clicking on the video link on the OCC page here: https://mycouncil.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=1167&MId=6795&Ver=4 Subject to the software you have installed, you may be able to go to it directly using video link https://oxon.cc/DDCMHM17112022 The relevant part of the meeting starts at 12mins 10 seconds

Posted by: David Bartholomew | 17/11/2022 12:53 pm

This decision is on the agenda for the OCC Highways cabinet member 17th Nov 2022. The agenda also includes a singed deed that appears to show that OCC signed up to the speed limit change back in 2019. Agenda at https://mycouncil.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=1167&MId=6795 with link to deed as a supplementary paper. Given the recent actions (or lack of by SODC) and OCC it does rather put in doubt local democracy.

Posted by: Stephen Seabury | 14/11/2022 1:22 pm

David, it looks like the developer gave a unilateral 106 undertaking despite OCC and the inspector confirming that the scheme was acceptable without those changes. I haven't been able to find a copy of it yet.

Posted by: Peter Boros | 28/08/2022 7:38 am

Peter, I am still trying to get to the bottom of this. What is clear is that the Appeal inspector said that 40mph was safe (para 33 of Appeal decision).

Posted by: David Bartholomew | 27/08/2022 7:03 am

David, Thanks for drawing this to everyone's attention. Is this proposal being promoted by the developer of the RV site which the plans would seem to suggest. Secondly was this issue contemplated as part of the grant of permission / or in anyway made a condition of the approval. Its odd that Plan B the scheme architects have drawn up a/the plan which is over a year old!

Posted by: Peter Boros | 26/08/2022 10:48 pm