Northern Distributor Road

2.1 Proposals for Northern Distributor Road (NDR)

The developer’s proposals, in their submission for outline planning permission (WODC Planning ref 24/00482/OUT), contain indications for the NDR. These form part of the Transport Assessment for North Witney, prepared by Jubb for The North Witney Land Consortium dated December 2023.

Within this document, proposals for the NDR are shown in;

Extract from Transport Assessment Section 5 – Development Proposals

5.4 Site Access

5.4.1 Access on Hailey Road and Woodstock Road would be achieved through the introduction of innovative Dutch roundabouts. These Dutch roundabouts serve to prioritise movements for cyclists around the junction through the provision of priority cycle lanes across each arm which vehicles are required to give way to. In addition, zebra crossings are also provided on each arm in advance of the entries to provide priority for pedestrians. The proposed new junctions therefore serve to facilitate walking and cycling movements first and foremost, in accordance with D&P principles.

5.4.2 It is proposed that the Hailey Road access will take the form of a four-arm roundabout with the western access tying in with the Land West of Hailey Road proposals, eastern arm providing access to the development proposals and North and South arms providing connection for Hailey Road. In addition, the Woodstock Road access provides a link to the proposals from the western side with the northern and southern arms providing connection for Woodstock Road, and the eastern side providing connection to Harvest Way.

5.4.3 Furthermore, a vehicle connection, by way of a standard priority junction, will also be provided to the existing rural lane of New Yatt Road to the north. Moreover, to the south a pedestrian and cycling only connection will be provided to New Yatt Road allowing for active travel linkage with the North of Witney that provides onward connection to the town centre. It is understood that the stopping up of New Yatt Road (for vehicles) to the south of the site is proposed by the LHA and therefore this access strategy would not preclude this.

5.5 Internal Road Network

5.5.1 In accordance with the Local Plan allocation the proposals will also include a linking transport corridor (i.e. the NDR) connecting from the western access on Hailey Road to the eastern side of the proposals where it will also link with the New Yatt Road and Woodstock Road access.

5.5.2 It is proposed that the NDR encompass a segregated cycleway and footpath on both sides of this link. This would encompass a 2m footway on both sides which would link in with the pedestrian connection on the various site accesses that would connect with the NDR. Furthermore, a 2m cycleway will also be provided on both [sides] which will provide sufficient width for eastbound cyclists (i.e. on the northern side) and westbound cyclists (i.e. on the southern side).

5.5.3 A 6.8m carriageway road width is provided across the NDR link. This width strikes a balance between ensuring efficient movement of buses whilst ensuring that road space is not increased to levels that would encourage car use.

5.5.4 It is proposed that the internal road network will include 20mph speed designation in consideration of existing speeds set within Witney. This speed designation will provide a suitable low speed environment that will serve to further facilitate safe active travel movements and is therefore in accordance with the D&P approach.

5.5.5 It is proposed that the street network of the site, including connecting roads linking with the NDR, also be designed in accordance with MfS principles. In this regard streets will be designed in consideration of the aforementioned user hierarchy and will be designed in consideration of active travel users first and foremost with appropriate geometries that serve to slow vehicle speeds and provide space for these users.

Extract from Transport Assessment Appendix N

This appendix contained an earlier report by Jubb for L&Q Estates dated June 2022

4.0 Proposed Access

4.1 Whilst designs for the NDR have yet to be finalised it is proposed that this road would be developed to Manual for Streets standards and will include a 30mph speed limit to ensure that the link provides a street function. It is proposed that a roundabout access be provided either [end] of the NDR where it connects with the Hailey Road and at the A4095. The roundabout access onto Hailey Road would also facilitate access to the Land West of Hailey Road proposals (i.e. Zone 5604) via an additional arm connecting with the western side of this roundabout. These proposals should be considered in relation to the coding assumptions of the NDR and site access roundabouts within the A40 CHM Model.

4.2 A connection will also be provided to New Yatt Road which will link with the NDR from the north. However, it is assumed that south of the NDR (i.e. towards Witney) access from within the site will be downgraded to a pedestrian and cyclist only connection. On this basis a New Yatt Road connection should not be included in the A40 CHM model between the site and the existing northern edge of the Witney urban area.

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2.2 WING comments on Developer's Proposals