A SECOND attempt is being made to create two controversial pedestrian crossings in Abingdon.

Oxfordshire County Council will again consider whether the crossings in Ock Street and Marcham Road should be approved after a housing developer won a legal challenge.

The crossings were made an essential requirement for a new 160-home estate on land off Drayton Road by a Government planning inspector last year.

County cabinet member for transport David Nimmo Smith refused the crossings in March, despite traffic officers’ suggestions that it should be approved.

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Now council officers have again said the pedestrian crossings should go ahead.

In a report, Mark Kemp, the council’s deputy director for environment and economy, said: “A safety audit of the detailed design of the proposals has been carried out by independent consultants commissioned by the designers of the proposed works.

“A detailed review of this safety audit – including the responses made by the designers – was carried out by officers.

“No significant issues were identified in respect of the proposed layout of the crossings.”

He added that there would be no “severe traffic impact”.

The plans involve creating a new pedestrian crossing on Ock Street east of Drayton Road, and moving the current crossing on Marcham Road, to the west of Drayton Road, further west.

It was originally turned down by the county council, but developer Taylor Wimpey won a legal challenge on the basis that the council failed to explain why it refused it.

Abingdon town councillor Samantha Bowring said: “I think it is disappointing that we have got to go through this process again but if it means having a more legally robust case then it is worth trying.

“I don’t think moving the crossing will achieve anything.

“It will make very little difference but it would compromise the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.”

An original plan for the Drayton Road development by Hallam was opposed by Abingdon Town Council, dozens of residents, and finally refused planning permission by Vale of White Horse District Council.

A decision on the pedestrian crossings will be made by Mr Nimmo Smith on Thursday at a public meeting in County Hall at 10.30am.

The developer won its appeal against that decision, but sold the land to Taylor Wimpey after Mr Nimmo Smith’s decision.

Taylor Wimpey has submitted its own planning application for the site but a decision on this has not yet been taken.

 

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