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Proposed Traffic Calming Measures
OAKLEY PARISH COUNCIL Proposed Traffic Calming Measures CLICK HERE FOR Oakley Traffic Action Group Dear Parishioner, Oakley Parish Council believes that speed limits are seldom kept to on any of the five roads into and out of the village. The Parish Council regularly ask the Police to monitor traffic speeds, and despite some prosecutions the underlying speeding problem continues. Over the years we have lobbied Bucks County Council (BCC) many times to extend the 30 miles per hour speed limit along the length of Brill Road, and to instigate a new 40 mph limit out to the Foresters on Bicester Road. BCC has now committed to this, but we cannot expect any action until at least 2008. The Parish Council has investigated many measures to calm the traffic through the village. It has currently ruled out sleeping policeman/humps, but is considering several other initiatives (see below). These could be phased in over the next few years. As a result the Parish Council resolved to raise the Parish Precept by 8.3% (which is normally limited to the rate of inflation), representing an increase to the Parish Council of £1,000 to assist with the cost of the schemes. While this may sound a lot, across the 400 households in Oakley, it represents about 4 pence per week per household. We hope you will support us in our efforts to make Oakley a safer village. The proposed schemes are: Relocating present signs to new speed limit positions. BCC have said it will do this by 2008 (at the earliest), the Parish Council intend to fund these signs much earlier, if possible. Vehicle activated speed limit signs. Norfolk County Council has used these in several villages since 1992. The signs are fibre optic 30mph or 40mph roundels lit from within, with flashing amber lights above and below. Each is triggered into action when radar detects a motor vehicle approaching above a threshold pre-set at 5mph higher than the speed limit on that particular road. They have proved effective in reducing speed throughout rural Norfolk villages. 30 mph speed limit roundels. These are designed to provide additional impact and are only permitted where the speed limit starts. Five are proposed at the five entrances to the village, recently BCC have announced they will do this for ALL Buckinghamshire villages; we have received no time scale for this work. 4) Dragon markings. These markings are intended to give a dramatic perception of the lane reducing in width and thus reduce speeds. Five could be positioned at the five entrances to the village. 5) Small repeater 30mph limit roundels. These are small post signs and are seen as reminders to drivers once they are into the village, where the 30mph still applies. 6) Traffic Island in Bicester Road between Manor Road and The Nap. This involves the building of an island 2 metres wide, and 2 x 2 metre long islands, creating a 2 metre wide pedestrian walk through. This effectively provides a refuge for pedestrians and restricts the two-way flow of traffic to narrower lanes. BCC have already provided plans and an estimate. 7) Narrowing Priority Works. This is a tentative scheme and would involve reducing the width of Worminghall Road to one lane, which is then controlled by a Priority system. The location of the narrowing is still to be decided but possibly near Forge Close. Priority should be given to traffic leaving the village. If implemented this could reduce speeds approaching the School and the Mill Road junction. We would welcome advice from BCC on this. We would like to hear your views either by dropping a line to the Parish Clerk, talking to a Parish Council member, or by attending Parish Council Meetings, held at 19:30 in the Village Hall on the first Tuesday of each month (not August). Roy Fennell, Chairman of Oakley Parish Council 01844 237271
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