A vast number of authorities in Oxford took a stroll down the “Tunnel of Love” in West Oxford to discuss the closure of the Botley Road on April the 11th.
The information from your Oxford Inquirer is duplicated, on purpose.
Susanna Pressel, a councillor and representative of the locals, sent Facebook site WestOxfordAccess a notice how the situation is going, neglecting to mention New Osney Residents, also affected by the closure.
She relayed the rather long conclusions of the pundits that seem to imply the residents are screwed.
“The Inclusive Transport Group went on a walkabout this week, organised by the City Council. They were looking at the implications of the closure of the railway bridge for people with disabilities or limited mobility.”
She (pictured) continued to copy in the details, at some length:
“The Inclusive Transport Group went on a walkabout this week, organised by the City Council. They were looking at the implications of the closure of the railway bridge for people with disabilities or limited mobility.
“Here are the notes from their walkabout and discussion:
Botley Road bridge closure
“Walk-about” by members of Inclusive Transport and Movement Focus Group
14 March 2023
Present:
Network Rail and Kier – David Paull, Peter Jones, Emily Luszcz
City – Ted Maxwell
Oxfordshire Unlimited – Tim Treuherz
Oxford 50+ Network – Margaret Simpson and Pat Kennedy
MyVision – Guy Lawfull
Wheels for Wellbeing – Kevin Hickman
Apologies from: Kate Laybourne from County’s visual impairment team
Next steps for Network Rail and Kier, between now and next meeting of Inclusive Transport and Movement Focus Group on Wed 29 March 4-5.30pm:
Diversity Impact Assessment (DIA) – draft to be shared with the focus group at the 29 March meeting
Signage – NR to share proposed traffic management plan with indications of what signs will be where.
Other street clutter – NR to liaise with County to see if anything else can be done to reduce escooter clutter on the west end of Botley Road
Marshalls – Check on traffic marshal training opportunities regarding disability; share briefing materials with focus group so that they can input.
Audio guide – Share initial draft text with group (especially Margaret, Guy, Kate) for feedback
Frideswide Square – Clarification of provision of access across Frideswide Square to enable people to access bus stops towards the City Centre. Arrange separate session with Kate (and Guy to be kept informed)
Buses – Chase for final bus timetable info from bus companies, relating to the Botley Road side of the closure point but also the train station and Frideswide Square
Monitoring – Schedule follow-up site visit once closure is in place and potentially ‘mystery shopper’ role at different points throughout closure period
Further mitigations for people with physical impairments – Progress conversations with County about boosting the Comet bus service in order to support people with physical impairments in or going to west Oxford
Emergency services – Liaising with emergency services regarding the implications and mitigations of not being able to go through the closure point
Communication – clear maps and information to be created and disseminated by all agencies involved, both for drivers and other road users. E.g. it must not be described as “Botley Road closure” because the road is only closed as a through route to the city centre for cars.
Key issues noted in the session:
Buses coming from the west really can’t get any closer to the train station or city centre than Osney Island – there isn’t enough space anywhere closer, without creating significant hazards for pedestrians or vehicles.
Current temporary signage is often confusing and obstructive. There was agreement that signs need to be limited to those which are required and are useful and their location should be optimised to present minimal obstruction.
There was agreement that it was good news NR is going to have in place a team of 11 marshalls at the start of the first closure. Particular focus from them should be given to managing flows of people, bicycles and cargo bikes through the “tunnel” which may require moments of alternating 1-way flow. Marshalls will require briefing and training around working with people with disabilities (both visible and not visible), so that they are sensitive to different situations (e.g. not forcing someone off a bicycle who relies on it as a mobility aid).
The audio guide will be invaluable for people with visual impairments but should also be helpful for all.
No vehicles at all will be able to go under the railway bridge when it is closed, this includes emergency services and taxis
Oxfordshire Unlimited – Tim Treuherz
Oxford 50+ Network – Margaret Simpson and Pat Kennedy
MyVision – Guy Lawfull
Wheels for Wellbeing – Kevin Hickman
Apologies from: Kate Laybourne from County’s visual impairment team
Next steps for Network Rail and Kier, between now and next meeting of Inclusive Transport and Movement Focus Group on Wed 29 March 4-5.30pm:
Diversity Impact Assessment (DIA) – draft to be shared with the focus group at the 29 March meeting
Signage – NR to share proposed traffic management plan with indications of what signs will be where.
Other street clutter – NR to liaise with County to see if anything else can be done to reduce escooter clutter on the west end of Botley Road
Marshalls – Check on traffic marshal training opportunities regarding disability; share briefing materials with focus group so that they can input.
Audio guide – Share initial draft text with group (especially Margaret, Guy, Kate) for feedback
Frideswide Square – Clarification of provision of access across Frideswide Square to enable people to access bus stops towards the City Centre. Arrange separate session with Kate (and Guy to be kept informed)
Buses – Chase for final bus timetable info from bus companies, relating to the Botley Road side of the closure point but also the train station and Frideswide Square
Monitoring – Schedule follow-up site visit once closure is in place and potentially ‘mystery shopper’ role at different points throughout closure period
Further mitigations for people with physical impairments – Progress conversations with County about boosting the Comet bus service in order to support people with physical impairments in or going to west Oxford
Emergency services – Liaising with emergency services regarding the implications and mitigations of not being able to go through the closure point
Communication – clear maps and information to be created and disseminated by all agencies involved, both for drivers and other road users. E.g. it must not be described as “Botley Road closure” because the road is only closed as a through route to the city centre for cars.
Key issues noted in the session:
Buses coming from the west really can’t get any closer to the train station or city centre than Osney Island – there isn’t enough space anywhere closer, without creating significant hazards for pedestrians or vehicles.
Current temporary signage is often confusing and obstructive. There was agreement that signs need to be limited to those which are required and are useful and their location should be optimised to present minimal obstruction.
There was agreement that it was good news NR is going to have in place a team of 11 marshalls at the start of the first closure. Particular focus from them should be given to managing flows of people, bicycles and cargo bikes through the “tunnel” which may require moments of alternating 1-way flow. Marshalls will require briefing and training around working with people with disabilities (both visible and not visible), so that they are sensitive to different situations (e.g. not forcing someone off a bicycle who relies on it as a mobility aid).
The audio guide will be invaluable for people with visual impairments but should also be helpful for all.
No vehicles at all will be able to go under the railway bridge when it is closed, this includes emergency services and taxis”
So that says it all, really. ψ
