Worcester Street, Oxford Stage 3 Vulnerable Road User Audit Oxfordshire County Council

Home , Hythe Bridge Street, Worcester Street

3 February 2015

Worcester Street, Oxford Stage 3 Road Safety Audit

Notice

This document and its contents have been prepared and are intended solely for Oxfordshire County Councils information and use in relation to a Stage 3 Vulnerable Road User Audit of proposals at the junction of Worcester Street, Hythe Bridge Street and George Street, Oxford.

Atkins Highway & Transportation assumes no responsibility to any other party in respect of or arising out of or in connection with this document and/or its contents.

This document has 20 pages including the cover.

Document history

Job number: 5126734 Document ref: Stage 3 VRU Audit Worcester Street Revision Purpose description Originated Checked Reviewed Authorised Date Rev 1.0 For Issue KF KF GB GB February 2015

Client signoff

Client Oxfordshire County Council

Project Worcester Street, Oxford Document title Stage 3 Vulnerable Road User Audit

Job no. 5126734

Copy no. 001

Document Worcester Street Stage 3 VRU Audit reference

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Table of contents

Chapter Pages 1. Introduction 4 Commission and Terms of Reference 4 Procedure 4 Issues 4 2. Scheme Description 5 Location 5 Scheme Description 5 Departure from Standards 5 Clarifications 5 3. Outstanding Issues Raised by the Stage 1&2 VRU Audits 6 4. Issues Raised by this Stage 3 VRU Audit 8 5. Vulnerable Road User Audit Team Statement 15

Appendices 16 Appendix A. List of Drawings and Documents Provided as Review Brief 17 Appendix B. Design Drawings 18 Appendix C. Issue Location Plan 19

Tables Table 4-1 Location Reference No: 1 ...... 8 Table 4-2 Location Reference No: 2 ...... 9 Table 4-3 Location Reference No: 3 ...... 10 Table 4-4 Location Reference No: 4 ...... 11 Table 4-5 Location Reference No: 5 ...... 12 Table 4-6 Location Reference No: 6 ...... 13 Table 4-7 Location Reference No: 7 ...... 14

Figures Figure 2-1 Site Location Plan 5 Figure 4-1 Photograph of standing water on Hythe Bridge Street at controlled crossing point 8 Figure 4-2 Photograph of exposed surface joints 9 Figure 4-3 Photograph of defective surface in controlled crossing area 9 Figure 4-4 Photograph of vehicle stopping in controlled crossing area 10 Figure 4-5 Photograph of large bus in cycle reservoir on George Street 11 Figure 4-6 Photograph of cyclists turning right from Worcester Street (North) in front of ahead traffic 12 Figure 4-7 Photograph of cyclist waiting in junction to carry out ahead manoeuvre between Hythe Bridge Road and George Street 13 Figure 4-8 Puffin crossing pedestrian nearside indicator 14 Figure 4-9 Pedestrian crossing on wrong phase 14 Figure 5-1 Site Location Plan 19

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1. Introduction

Commission and Terms of Reference 1.1. Atkins has been commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council to undertake a Stage 3 Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Audit of proposals to reopen the Worcester Street, Hythe Bridge Street, and George Street junction with the introduction of traffic signals and puffin crossing elements.

1.2. The audit has been conducted with reference to the procedures and scope set out in the Highways Agency’s ‘Design Manual for Roads and Bridges’ (DMRB), Volume 5, Section 2, Parts 5, ‘Non Motorised User Audits` Standard HD 42/05 and Oxfordshire County Council Vulnerable Road User Audit Standards, Guidelines and Audit Checklists. 1.3. The Audit Team membership was as follows:

 Audit Team Leader: Geoff Butler BSc (Hons) MCILT FIHIE Managing Consultant Atkins Highways & Transportation, Euston Tower

 Audit Team Member: Kevin Freimanis BSc Senior Planner Atkins Highways & Transportation, Euston Tower

 Audit Team Observer: Anthony Kirkwood Road Safety Manager Oxfordshire County Council

Procedure 1.4. The VRU Audit comprised an examination of the design drawing, VRU Audit brief and site visit. Day and night site visits was undertaken on the 8th January 2015. The weather was dry, clear, bright and cold during the day visit. The night visit was dry, clear and cold. Traffic flows were busy during both day and night visits. The night visit was busier coinciding with rush hour.

1.5. The brief was provided by the Atkins, Highways & Transportation (London), Managing Consultant Paul Gannon and consisted of scheme drawings and an audit request form.

1.6. Outstanding issues identified as part of the Stage 1 &2 VRU Audits are detailed in Section 3, with Stage 3 VRU Audit comments. Issues identified as part of this Stage 3 VRU Audit are detailed in Section 4. Section 5 comprises the Audit Team Statement.

1.7. Appendix A of this report lists the contents of the audit brief. Appendix B contains the design drawing used in this audit. Appendix C contains the Issue Location Plans.

1.8. Atkins has examined and reported on only the road safety implications of the measures as presented. The designs were not specifically examined or verified for compliance to any other criteria. However, to clearly explain a safety issue or the recommendation to resolve an issue, the Audit Team may, on occasion, refer to a design standard without undertaking a technical audit. Issues 1.9. The VRU Audit brief did not provide the following details and as a result, the audit does not take these into account:

 Any departures from standards;  Classified traffic counts;

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 Lighting levels;  Drainage;  Levels; and  Site clearance.

2. Scheme Description

Location 2.1. The site is located east of Frideswide Square and Oxford Railway Station, and west of Oxford town centre, on Worcester Street at its junction with Hythe Bridge Street and George Street.

2.2. The sites posted speed limit of 20mph. The site is predominantly commercial in nature. The proposals are on the border of the Carfax and Jericho & Osney Wards of Oxford City Council.

Figure 2-1 Site Location Plan

Scheme location

(Source Google EarthTM mapping service)

Scheme Description 2.3. The following were proposed as part of the project:  Re-opening of the Worcester Street / Hythe Bridge Street / George Street junction with the introduction of a traffic signal junction complete with Puffin crossing elements.

Departure from Standards 2.4. The audit team have not been made aware of any departures from standards.

Clarifications 2.5. Clarifications were requested by Kevin Freimanis, by email on the 09/01/15 and clarifications received from Paul Gannon, by email, on the 12/01/15.

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3. Outstanding Issues Raised by the Stage 1&2 VRU Audits

3.1. The safety aspects of the proposals for Frideswide Square were subject to comment in May 2014 in the Stage 1 VRU report, and July 2014 in a Stage 2 VRU report. There are two outstanding issues from the stage 1 & 2 VRU reports. All other issues raised in the Stage 1 and 2 VRU Audits have been resolved.

Non Motorised User Location Reference No: 12

Location: Worcester Street j/w George Street and Hythe Bridge Street

Figure 28: Extract from drawing 5126734-ATK-HW01-GA- DR-D-001 showing existing pedestrian path, and proposed routes.

Stage 1 VRU Audit Indirect pedestrian route Issue:

Stage 1 VRU Audit Removing the footway connection between the south-west Summary: and north-east kerb lines will remove a direct route and desire line for pedestrians. The proposed layout will force pedestrians to follow a longer, less direct route between footways. Pedestrians may cross the road informally, thus increasing the risk of conflict with vehicles.

Stage 1 VRU Audit Retain existing junction layout. Recommendation: Provide a diagonal crossing point.

Stage 2 VRU Audit This still presents itself as an issue Comment

Stage 3 VRU Audit This still presents itself as an issue Comment

Stage 3 VRU Audit Monitor junction accidents. If collision trends indicate Recommendation pedestrians/ cyclists are crossing the junction diagonally uncontrolled either discourage using street furniture, or provide a diagonal crossing facility.

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Location Reference No: 13

Location: Worcester Street j/w George Street and Hythe Bridge Street

Figure 29: Extract from drawing 5126734-ATK-HW01-GA- DR-D-001 showing proposed junction layout

Stage 1 VRU Audit Intergreen between arms Issue:

Stage 1 VRU Audit A pedestrian may notice vehicles slowing to stop to their Summary: left and far right and commence to cross in advance of the green man whilst a vehicle from their right crosses the stop line on a late amber or red. In doing so the pedestrian may be at risk of conflict with a vehicle. This may be a hazard due to the high volume of pedestrian usage and observed behaviour of pedestrians and drivers during the site visit.

Stage 1 VRU Audit Ensure adequate intergreen is provided, that offers safe Recommendation: clearance time, although not too long to promote driver frustration.

Stage 2 VRU Audit This still presents itself as an issue. Comment

Stage 3 VRU Audit It is unclear if this is still an issue. Comment

Stage 3 VRU Audit Monitor accidents at the junction for 12 months. If collision Recommendation trends show the Intergreen to be insufficient ensure adequate Intergreen is provided that offers safe clearance time.

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4. Issues Raised by this Stage 3 VRU Audit

4.1. Unless general to the scheme, the annotated plan in Appendix C indicates the locations of the safety issues raised in this section and are cross-referenced to the location reference numbers attributed to each issue.

General Table 4-1 Location Reference No: 1

Location: Hythe Bridge Street, north side of controlled crossing point.

Figure 4-1 Photograph of standing water on Hythe Bridge Street at controlled crossing point

Issue: Standing water in carriageway Summary: Standing water was observed on the carriageway along the northern kerb line of Hythe Bridge Street, adjacent to the controlled crossing point. Standing water presents a splash hazard to pedestrians and a slip hazard in cold weather when ice forms. VRU Audit Move the low point; or Recommendation: Provide gullies with pedestrian/ cycle friendly covers at the low point of the carriageway.

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Table 4-2 Location Reference No: 2

Location: General

Figure 4-2 Photograph of exposed surface joints

Figure 4-3 Photograph of defective surface in controlled crossing area

Issue: Carriageway surface Summary: It was noted during the audit patches of bitumen on the carriageway surface around the junction. Whether excess tack coating, sealing plucking out, surface bleeding, or

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defective surfaces and joints may increase the risk of future maintenance issues. When wet the patches may become slippery increasing the risk of two wheeled road users being unseated/ losing control. Surface and joint defects in controlled crossing areas may present a trip hazard to pedestrians. VRU Audit Remove excess and bleeding bitumen; Recommendation: Ensure joints are sealed adequately; and Ensure controlled crossing areas are free of surface defects.

Table 4-3 Location Reference No: 3

Location: Worcester Street, southern arm of junction with Hythe Bridge Street and George Street

Figure 4-4 Photograph of vehicle stopping in controlled crossing area

Issue: Traffic queuing into junction area Summary: During busy periods it was observed traffic queuing from the Park End Street/ New Road/ Worcester Street traffic signalised junction queued back into the Worcester Street/ George Street/ Hythe Bridge Street junction. Queueing blocked the controlled crossing on the southern arm of the Worcester Street (south) arm. This may increase the risk of conflicts between pedestrians and slow moving/ waiting vehicles attempting to clear the junction. VRU Audit Ensure traffic signals are linked. Recommendation:

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Table 4-4 Location Reference No: 4

Location: Exit Chain Alley Bus Station and George Street

Figure 4-5 Photograph of large bus in cycle reservoir on George Street

Observation: Buses exiting Chain Alley Bus Station towards Worcester Street junction Summary: Large coaches exiting Chain Alley Bus Station were observed to;  Swing body work over the southern footway of George Street in order to line up with the signalised junction stop lane to avoid blocking the east bound traffic lane. Increasing the risk of conflicts with footway users, particularly when groups walk around the south east corner (Nandos) as a large coach exits the bus station.  Large coaches cross the vehicle stop line to fully straighten up and block the cycle reservoir to avoid blocking the eastbound traffic lane. Cyclists approaching from behind the bus are unaware the bus is in the cycle reservoir when they overtake, and queue in front of the bus encroaching the pedestrian crossing area. This may introduce the risk of conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians especially when pedestrians are on the crossing. VRU Audit The geometry is limited to permit the bus to exit the station Recommendation: and fully straighten up behind the stop line. The conflict between cyclist and pedestrians should be reviewed and assessed. An option to consider is to relocate the pedestrian crossing further west into the junction that may enable cyclists to wait behind the pedestrian studs and avoid the above conflicts.

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Table 4-5 Location Reference No: 5

Location: Worcester Street (North) junction with Hythe Bridge Street,

Figure 4-6 Photograph of cyclists turning right from Worcester Street (North) in front of ahead traffic

Observation: Cyclist right turn Summary: Less confident cyclists turning right from Worcester Street (North) to Hythe Bridge Street were observed to wait adjacent to the kerb line on Worcester Street and when given the green light cut across the path of southbound ahead traffic. Similarly with a green signal displayed, cyclists were observed to travel in the nearside channel and turn right, rather than position themselves to the offside to execute the right turn. Whilst the majority of traffic turned right, an occasional vehicle travelled ahead. Conflicts may occur as cyclists cut across the flow of ahead traffic. It is accepted the junction may be no different from any other junction layout but the high number of cyclists, and future changes to Frideswide Square traffic flow may increase the number of ahead vehicle manoeuvres which may in turn increase the risk of conflict. VRU Audit Competent cyclist are more likely to be familiar with turning Recommendation: right at similar traffic signal control junctions, and aware of safety issues. It may be more desirable for less competent cyclists to share a controlled crossing facility across the junction (TOUCAN).

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Table 4-6 Location Reference No: 6

Location: Hythe Bridge Street, junction with Worcester Street

Figure 4-7 Photograph of cyclist waiting in junction to carry out ahead manoeuvre between Hythe Bridge Road and George Street

Observation: Cyclist behaviour Summary: A number of cyclists were observed to ignore the left only turn between Hythe Bridge Street and Worcester Street (North), risking conflict with vehicles entering the junction from Worcester Street (North). It was also observed cyclists entering the northern pavement on Hythe Bridge Street at the controlled crossing point and crossing Worcester Street (North) using the Puffin Crossing, increasing the risk of conflicts with pedestrians. VRU Audit This arrangement seems to hinder the straight ahead route, Recommendation: into George Street, that some cyclists desire to take. The Provision of a shared surface footway at the junction (converted to a TOUCAN) would provide a safe alternative for cyclists to travel between Hythe Bridge Street and George Street.

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Table 4-7 Location Reference No: 7

Location: General

Figure 4-8 Puffin crossing pedestrian nearside indicator

Figure 4-9 Pedestrian crossing on wrong phase

Observation: Puffin near side signal indicators Summary: The nearside pedestrian indicators were observed to be regularly ignored by pedestrians. Pedestrians were often observed to stand in front of the indicators out of sight of the red/ green man, and tended to look around the junction, possibly out of habit for a far side indicator, or for a break in traffic even though they weren’t sure where traffic was coming from (vehicle stop lines obscured by buildings). A number of near misses were observed between pedestrian/ cyclists and vehicles. It is accepted that the junction may be no different from other junction layouts but, the number of pedestrians using the crossings incorrectly may increase the risk of conflicts at the junction. Pedestrians were observed to cross against the red aspect out of frustration, particularly across the southern arm of Worcester Street when traffic volumes were low at the junction. On occasions pedestrians came into conflict with infrequent traffic travelling north to south across the junction. VRU Audit Consider providing a far side pedestrian indicator in addition Recommendation: to the near side indicators. Monitor accident trends at the junction and amend the layout to provide safest crossing.

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5. Vulnerable Road User Audit Team Statement

5.1. I certify that this Vulnerable Road User Audit has been carried out in accordance with Highways Agency’s ‘Design Manual for Roads and Bridges’ (DMRB), Volume 5, Section 2, Part 5, ‘Non- Motorised User Audits’ Standard HD 42/05 and Oxfordshire County Council Vulnerable Road User Audit Standards, Guidelines and Audit Checklists.

Audit Team

Audit Team Leader Geoff Butler BSc (Hon) MCILT FIHIE Managing Consultant Atkins Highways and Transportation Euston Tower 286 Euston Road LONDON NW1 3AT

Signed:

Date: 03/02/15

Audit Team Member Kevin Freimanis BSc Senior Planner Atkins Highways and Transportation Euston Tower 286 Euston Road LONDON NW1 3AT

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Appendices

Worcester Street, Oxford Stage 3 Road Safety Audit

Appendix A. List of Drawings and Documents Provided as Review Brief

A.1. Documents  Email request 10th December 2014.

A.2. Scheme Drawing  5126734-ATK-HW01-GA-DR-D-002-P1 Worcester Street Junction General Arrangement

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Appendix B. Design Drawings

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100 SCALE AS SHOWN SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION In addition to the hazards/risks normally associated with the types of work detailed on this drawing, note the following: CONSTRUCTION

MAINTENANCE/CLEANING Millimetres

DECOMMISSIONING/DEMOLITION 10 0

WORCESTER STREET It is assumed that all works will be carried out by a competent contractor working, where appropriate, to an approved method statement

BT RE University +DP of Oxford

SV SC BT SC

IC CL

MH SNP CL

RE +DP

EY BT BT

LP RE MH +DP CL SV IC

IC CL MH TV SNP SV CL DP LP RE SNP MH IC +DP CL CL RS SV Eurobar Cafe & Hotel SV GY IC SV CL

IC SV SV CL 59.13 GEORGE STREET W3 Mk MH SV 59.28 CL

SNP LP GV BT BT SV SNP TV IC SV HYTHE BRIDGE STREET GV CL TV DP MH IC CL 59.43 CL EY TV 59.56 LP More Than SNP Sushi Opium Den MH (Oxford Business CL BT P1 09/06/14 FIRST ISSUE IG DS PG College above) BL Rev. Date Description By Chk'd App'd LP GV Drawing Status Suitability

GV BL

SV BL Euston Tower DP 286 Euston Road SC London BL IC NW1 3AT CL BL RS Tel: IC BL CL Fax:

Post TL www.atkinsglobal.com Client

OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

BL BL BL BT BL BL BL BL Project Title BL RS BL BL

WORCESTER STREET STREET WORCESTER WORCESTER BL RS BL

LP GY W2 GY

GEORGE STREET MEWS Drawing Title BL BL SV BL BL BL RS BL RS BL GY RS BL LP BL BT BL

rights reserved. Licence number LA076805 BL FH

BL BT Worcester Street, Oxford Stage 3 Road Safety Audit

Appendix C. Issue Location Plan

Figure 5-1 Site Location Plan

Issue Location 6 Issue Location 5

Issue Location 1

Issue Location 4

Issue Location 3

(Extract from drawing 5126734-ATK-HW01-GA-DR-D-002)

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