Mr Charles Hurst has been back in touch with the following information.
In the village itself
EWR has now completed its detailed traffic analysis and firmed up on the likely figures for the peak three month intensive build period likely to be in early 2020. Currently (with an allowance for future developments) there are 1145 traffic movements (combined two way traffic figures) per day along Church Street passing the pub and EWR will contribute an extra 11 per day to this number. There is an LGV route along Mill Road although we have stated we will not be using this for light lorries; there are currently 518 vehicle movements along this road per day and EWR will be contributing 15 per day. These figures are notably less than the quantities discussed in the meeting but were not available at that time. The only other point to add is that by redirecting most of the LGV traffic away from the road through Stratton Audley onto the HGV route we have to allow it to go past Stratton Audley Park and that being so, a few vehicles are bound to turn right at the crossroads and come down Mill Road to access the Launton compound.
Despite the revised proposals to re-route construction traffic away from the village, there will be significantly increased levels of traffic in the immediate area and the Parish Council will be discussing reparations and traffic calming measures and signage. It has also been agreed that a liaison group will be formed with other affected villages to meet regularly with EWR .
Stratton Audley Park Road
With regard to the traffic numbers along the road past S-A Park from the junction of the 4421 towards Poundon, a figure of 1200 was banded about and some took this to mean as many as 1200 HGV likely movements in the peak three month intensive period in 2020. At the time Mr Hurst knew this not to be the case but could not substantiate it. Since then further studies have been carried out and the latest figures are:
Current traffic numbers total 940 vehicle movements (combined for both directions) per day.
EWR HGV vehicle movements will total 156 per day.
EWR LGV vehicle movements will total 53 per day.
EWR staff operative car movements will total 87 per day.
Total EWR traffic numbers is forecast to be 267 vehicle movements per day which will be an increase of 28.4% on the current levels. On the assumptions that they have a 10 hour working day there are likely to be around 16 HGV vehicles per hour or one every 4 minutes. This is still an extremely high and concerning figure but not as bad as two every minute of the day.
Clearly there are going to be many conversations and meeting with regard to the lay-bys and reparation works required both before and after the construction period, but for now the matter is in the hands of the Secretary for State to approve or reject the proposed scheme.
Previously at the Annual Open meeting on 2nd May……………………We invited Mr Charles Hurst, East West Rail Stakeholder Manager to address the meeting and provided an opportunity for members of the community to put questions to him and get a further update. In the main these were polite although some questions were quite direct.
The key issues for Stratton Audley has been the proposal to route LGV vehicles (both trucks and vans up to 7.5 tonnes) through the village and the plan to route HGV and LGV traffic flows from Bicester along the A4421 to its’ right hand intersection with Park Road to Charndon Compound via Stratton Park.
With the latter issue of traffic to the Charndon Compound apart from the volumes which may be as high asd 1200 movement a day in the most intensive 3 month period, the main concern is how to make the junction safe and effective plus other mitigation measures necessary.
Regarding traffic through the village, the Parish Council suggested that LGV’s could follow the same route as for HGV’s to get to the no.2 Launton Compound and we are pleased to report that an undertaking to progress this idea was given by Mr Hurst. The route from Stoke Lyne into and through the village, onto the Launton Road will still have to be shown on their maps as they are required to indicate at least two alternative routes. But the assurance which has been put in writing is that the bulk of LGV vehicles will be directed away from the village. This plus other mitigation measures including suitable signage will be a requirement. The likely date for intensive disruption is early 2020 for some 12 weeks. This is subject to the whole plan being put to the Secretary of State and being approved.
For full details read the Minutes from the meeting on 7th Marc