The OxCam Expressway Update Cumnor Parish Council Public Meeting Wednesday 29 th May 2019
Agenda • Welcome • Tom Christophers, Chair Cumnor Parish Council • What do we know so far? • Fiona Newton, Chair Cumnor Parish Neighbourhood Plan • No Expressway Alliance • Dr Hazel Dawe • Q&A • Tea/Coffee, opportunity to express interest to help, informal Q&A
Context An opportunity to see the bigger picture
Why bother?
Expressway route criteria
Changes to Cumnor
The OxCam Expressway Update Fiona Newton Chair, Cumnor Parish Neighbourhood Plan
What do we know so far?
The ‘ OxCam Arc’
The Common & Preferred Corridors (Highways England Map)
“Oxford sub -option [B]1 NB Map is best guess based on Highways England Text Appendix G “This route diverges from the A34 at the A415 junction at Abingdon. From there it travels offline avoiding Abingdon Airfield by passing on the west, until the route joins the existing A420. The route runs along the A420 until it re-joins the A34 and turns to the north until it intersects junction 9 of the M40. From this intersection the alignment diverges to the east where bypasses Bicester between Graven Hill and Ambrosden, passing across the A41 and then from the A41 to the east-west rail corridor.”
Economic impact Congestion A34 to Wendlebury, reduced journey times Flood Risk to Oxford City Route B1 does not link up Harwell, Culham, Ox Science Park, BMW, Hospitals Environmental Impact Great Wytham Woods 20 stands of ancient woodland, 3 SSSIs, 8 Local Wildlife Sites Cumnor Conservation Area, Swinford Toll Bridge Local Impact Increase in traffic – diversion of traffic from A34 Air Quality at Botley, Tilbury Lane Noise & Vibration Rat-running from A34 to A40 through Cumnor Village
What is Cumnor Parish Council Doing? Wider Lobby Written an “Early Concerns Document” with links to our evidence base in Neighourhood Plan • Joined ‘No Expressway • Sent to Layla Moran MP, Alliance • Jesse Norman (was • Attended NEA Conference Minister of State Dept of in March ‘19 Transport), • Contact with Expressway • James Brokenshire (Sec Action Group (primarily B3 State for Housing) and Lobby Group) • OxCam HE Project (Senior • Dialogue with Strategic Stakeholder Manager) Director CPRE & CPRE Oxfordshire
What response did we get? “I am also dismayed at the lack of public consultation; this is something that I have been campaigning on for some time both in private meetings and in formal questions and debates in Response from Highways England 23 rd May 2019 the House of Commons. Twice the Minister, Jesse Norman, has “Please be assured that we take all the potential effects of promised (and this is minuted in our project very seriously, in particular how it could Hansard) that the consultation - impact the environment and local communities. We’re when it happens - will be a full currently exploring a range of potential route options …it’s one, including the option to too early in the process to say in detail exactly how the express opinions about the need new road may benefit or affect individual communities for the Expressway as well as such as Cumnor. ” about any proposed routes. ” “Rather than meet now, the council will gain far more Announcement re consultation value from a meeting late this year when the route end 2019 options will be available …”
What can we do next? • Do nothing Research • Can respond as individuals reports • Parish Council could form a small working group • Meet 2/3x over the summer to ensure in Identify expert help good position to respond to formal consultation, and update Parish Council Identify • Identify how to support NEA and liaise? Other links? funding Groups? • Thoughtful social media campaign? Build links • Get in in a str trong posit itio ion to en engage with ith stakehold lders & res espond Activate social media
Timeline & Reports The Oxford Cambridge Preferred Corridor Booklet • http://assets.highwaysengland.co.uk/roads/road- projects/Oxford+to+Cambridge+expressway/Oxford+to+ Cambridge+Expressway+Corridor+overview+booklet.pdf The Oxford Cambridge Strategic Study report • https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oxford- to-cambridge-expressway-strategic-study-stage-3-report Partnering for Prosperity – National Infrastructure Commission • http://www.nic.org.uk/publications/partnering- prosperity-new-deal-cambridge-milton-keynes-oxford- arc/ argues that 1million new homes needed by 2050 along “Arc” Corridor Assessment Report • http://assets.highwaysengland.co.uk/roads/road- projects/Oxford+to+Cambridge+expressway/Corridor+A ssessment+Report.pdf
Any questions? Fiona Newton Chair, Cumnor Parish Neighbourhood Plan
Dr Hazel Dawe No Expressway Alliance
Introduction • Launched September 2018 • Membership currently 33 organisations • Latest recruit Cambridge Friends of the Earth
Aims • To present the economic case against the Expressway and promote East West rail as an alternative. • To represent a wide geographical spread of member groups and individuals. • Conduct public activities • Assemble evidence to resist the Expressway proposals.
Web site noexpresswayalliance.org • Conference presentations : • Sarah Foxcroft: How the campaign against the Expressway started • David Rogers: Countryside • Richard Harding: Housing • Chris Todd transport • Paul Miner CPRE – the arc
Web site noexpresswayalliance.org • FAQs • PR - report on the costs and the dubious economic benefits • Strategy
No Expressway motions by local authorities • Oxford City Council • Oxfordshire County Council • Vale of White Horse - next • Parishes : 11 named members several others as part of umbrella organisations • Bicester - next
How can you help? • We need: secretary, treasurer, web site manager, social media person. • Currently looking for a traffic modeller – and the funds to pay them. • Respond to the October consultation on routes.
Any questions? Dr Hazel Dawe No Expressway Alliance
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