Congestion Charge
The Oxford Congestion charge is going ahead with a start date of 29 October. As mentioned lots of times, with the exception of a small area in the centre of Oxford, everywhere will be reachable by car without going past a camera. That includes the John Radcliffe Hospital, which will still be accessible by the same routes people now use, for example either via Marsh Road or London Road.
Eynsham residents will get 25 free passes for driving into the congestion charge areas. You need to apply for these via the website. Blue Badge holders are exempt from the charge, as are van drivers. Most people have been able to register easily, but there is a helpline for those who need assistance.
For the first three months of the congestion charge being in operation, buses from the Park and Ride sites will be free. It is still better to use the bus directly from Eynsham, whether going to the John Radcliffe, Summertown or Headington (H2) or into Oxford (S1 and S2). A reminder that MyBusOxford gives a day’s unlimited travel in Oxfordshire on all the operators for £6.50 for an adult.
The plan is to get buses moving again by reducing Oxford’s notorious congestion. The Congestion Charge will be superseded by the Bus Filter Scheme – which is similar – when Botley Road reopens to motor vehicles.
Eynsham LCWIP
The consultation on the Eynsham Local Cycling and Walking Plan (LCWIP) is still open at this webpage. The closing date is 27 October - please do comment.
Street Lights
There is a revised policy in place which encourages parish councils to request that some lights be switched off at night, to save money and create darker skies, but such a request must come from the Parish Council and the local County Councillor. I would be pleased to discuss whether this might be of benefit in the village.
It is of interest to note that places without street lights – including Cassington – are reluctant to have them, and those that already have them are reluctant to switch them off.
Roads
Maintenance
So far, 98 of the 137 road resurfacing schemes identified in the budget of February have now been completed. People who have driven, cycled or got the E1 to Botley will have experienced what a huge difference this has made.
Nonetheless, there will always be road deteriorations. I would remind everyone to use FixmyStreet to report them.
We are instituting a “hit squad” to look at individual bits of road so that, where appropriate, a whole section can be fixed rather than just the reported holes.
Barnard Gate and Shores Green
The Barnard Gate “no right turn” order will come into effect shortly. If forbids right turns onto or off the A40 on the westerly Barnard Gate junction. There will be only minor road furniture to enforce this. We are expecting much reduced demand for this junction once Shores Green is fully open. Those of you who have been into Witney will see that this work is coming along quickly. It is ahead of schedule.
As ever, I can be contacted at dan.levy@oxfordshire.gov.uk