Investigating
Kerb 'bulges' out into the road
Sent to Oxfordshire County Council less than a minute later
At the junction of Holland Close with Lower Icknield Way, the kerb has a strange "bulge". This has been causing problems for the bin lorries and farm vehicles. We need it reduced in line with the kerb in the Close. It is adjacent to number 27.
Council ref: ENQ241016548
Updates
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Thank you for your enquiry. This issue has been passed onto the relevant team for investigation.
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This is also potentially a problem for any emergency vehicles that need to access Holland Close. The combination of the "bulge" and parked vehicles severely restricts access for any larger vehicle.
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Further to some great comments and ideas from my neighbours who kindly reported this concern, it’s really encouraging to see our community come together to address concerns about access on Holland Close, especially with the increasing challenges faced by larger vehicles like bin lorries and farm equipment.
From what I have observed, the existing kerbline hasn’t typically been a cause for concern, and the access difficulties seem more related to parked vehicles near the junction. When cars are parked close to the entrance, it can understandably restrict access for larger vehicles. However, when the area is clear, farm vehicles and bin lorries seem to manage without issue.
Rather than adjusting the kerbline, which could be a more complex and costly process, a simpler and more cost-effective solution would be the introduction of double yellow lines along the bend near the junction. This would help ensure that the area stays clear and maintain compliance with Rule 243 of the UK Highway Code, which advises against parking within 10 metres of a junction. This rule is designed to keep narrow streets like Holland Close accessible for all vehicles, including emergency services. This would also prevent non residents parking in the street for prolonged periods which is also often a concern.
The Manual for Streets (DfT, 2007) also emphasises the importance of keeping access routes clear in residential areas, particularly for essential services. The road width mustn’t be compromised by parked vehicles. According to the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), roads like Holland Close should allow a minimum width of 4.1 metres for larger vehicles to pass, and parking too close to the junction can make this difficult.
Finally, under the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD, 2016), double yellow lines could be introduced as a straightforward and effective measure to prevent obstructive parking. These lines can be implemented without the need for additional signage, making it a practical and low-cost solution to the access issues we’ve been facing.
I have attached some images from both yesterday and previously which show the access into the street (note I have edited the images to remove vehicle registrations).
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Please note the long comment above with the 2no. images attached was not meant to be anonomys. Kind Regards, Patricia Snook
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Patricia my neighbour at 27, offers some important data. Since in the past, I have caused a problem with parking, I am aware of the 10m clearance required from a junction. I crudely measured and marked the kerb at the distance. I am recognised by the South&Vale Waste Team to have rectified that. In fact, they have stated they would support reduction of the “bulge”. Secondly although 4.1m width is required, Holland Close by my reckoning is just 5m wide. This means ANY parking infringes on that. The real issue IS the “splay”. The dual aspect from my house25 means I am uniquely placed to see and often to react to vehicles struggling to turn into the Close. Grain lorries for the farm struggle and a couple of days ago a tractor with long straw trailer was unable to make the turn. The secondary issue is twofold . Visitors to Lower Icknield Way do park in the Close sometimes for days and often I fail to trace them. In addition, our families and friends who park at our end of the Close need to be advised of a potential problem. Given where we are I look forward to the response from the Highways Inspector.
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I've added a couple of screenshots from Google Street View that illuatrate the "bulge" in the kerb that we're discussing. Another issue that is caused by this bulge is that it is impossible for even a small car to turn into Holland Close if there is any other vehicle simultaneously trying to exit from Holland Close, as the bulge means that there is insufficient width at the junction. This is further exacerbated when any vehicle is parked anywhere near the junction. One or other of the moving vehicles has to inevitably reverse in order to give way to the other, which sometimes means having to reverse back onto the main road (Lower Icknield Way) if the other vehicle's driver isn't minded or able to do so. This is obviously potentially dangerous.
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My husband and I. Live at the bottom of Holland Close. My husband is in his eighties, and I shall be eighty next year. Our mobility is not as good as when we first moved here. To have to drag bins to Lower Rd, it would be quite difficult. ANITA gee
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It is worth noting that when considering a design of a highway the turning radius taken from centre line and at the kerb line is normally a consideration along with visual splays. Looking at the SHW and Oxfordshire CC standard details for traffic calming and road narrowing. In my opinion if the bulge was removed and streamlined there is no way the turning radius to leave Holland close could be increased to the minimum modern standard of a 6m radius. I would expect this bulge was positioned to ensure that traffic pulling out of Holland close (into LIW) is not pushed onto the far side of the carriageway when turning left. Its probably worth having consideration that under standard highways guidance 4.8m is normally a minimal for a two way road, however that would still be too tight to have two cars passing in the turning area. Unless the road was opened up with both splays being increased, 2 way traffic is always going to be an issue. With the 20 MPH speed limit for safety and some consideration for drivers both entering and leaving the street this can be managed. The existing will be difficult to improve within the constraints that exist. If we look at Standard detail HSD/700/110 for traffic calming measures, a road constriction of 3500mm is applied. All be it this is on a straight, the road entering Holland Close in my opinion is suitable to provide a calming effect. The original design up to now appears to have been sufficient - including when Chinnor was a 30mph zone, and it would be difficult and expensive for the council to implement when improvements would not reach modern day standards.
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