Road closures Enstone Rd, 1 to 5 June

Fri 5 Jun, 22:22

It is very tedious that since moving here in 2009 no solution to the problem of catching a bus reliably during roadworks has been tried. I can’t even think of any attempts at solving this problem. It is enormously stressful if you have to rely on the buses during this time. Or is everyone in Charlbury supposed to be rich enough and able enough to run a car?

Fri 5 Jun, 19:50

Sorry Liz, but I don't buy the rather pathetic buck passing. Before I sign something I read it and consider its implications. I hope that Phil Whitfield Head of Network Management does likewise.  Doubtless he is admirably remunerated for signing Traffic Regulation Notices (among other things)? 

If the proposal of diversionary routes lies with the contractor, who is ULTIMATELY responsible for risk assessment and sign off of same?

Only someone totally brain dead would have diverted traffic THROUGH the middle of Taston in BOTH directions, rather than via Henley Knapp pumping station & Spelsbury.  

Fri 5 Jun, 12:57

John P - I have suggested what you have outlined numerous times to both Town and County Councillors. I even emailed OCC a while ago giving them step-by-step guidance as how to enact a comms/engagement plan for when buses are re-routed, but I never had a response nor did anything get implemented. 

So here we are again, all standing at the wrong bus stops, not getting where we need to go, when we need to go, with the Town Council MIA and the ex Head of OCC treating those who use public transport with disdain. 

Fri 5 Jun, 09:22

The S3 to Oxford is still diverted this morning (9.10). The driver confirmed that it should return to the normal route from tomorrow afternoon.

Fri 5 Jun, 09:22

The S3 to Oxford is still diverted this morning (9.10). The driver confirmed that it should return to the normal route from tomorrow afternoon.

Thu 4 Jun, 19:02

OCC does not give contracts to the bus companies.  We have what is known as an Enhanced Partnership (you can read about that in the link I gave you) and a very close relationship with the bus companies, but the bus companies themselves control routes and timetables. I am not at all disdainful of bus users.  I use buses most days myself. They are a vital part of our transport network and I wish as a council we were able to do more.

Thu 4 Jun, 18:22

The Slade and Enstone Rd now open, and all notices gone.

Buses seem to be back to their normal routes. 

Thu 4 Jun, 17:52

Rather than debating whose fault it is, perhaps we should be asking what can be done to stop this happening again.

Passengers don't particularly care whether responsibility sits with the bus operator, the highways authority, the contractor or the Council. They just need to know where their bus is stopping.

Could we have a simple protocol for future roadworks affecting bus services?

• Temporary bus stop signs installed before diversions begin.

• Clear notices at affected stops showing the temporary location.

• Coordinated updates from the Council and bus operators on social media and websites.

• A named point of contact for residents to report problems when information is missing.

Nobody benefits from passengers wandering around trying to work out where to stand, and nobody benefits from councillors, residents and operators blaming one another afterwards.

The real test isn't who can point to the relevant legislation; it's whether the system works for the people using it. If it didn't work this time, let's identify the gap, fix it and make sure there's accountability so the same problem doesn't occur again.

Thu 4 Jun, 12:10

Do I sense disdain in your comment Liz? Not a good look for an elected member of the Council to show disdain for your electorate who use public transport.

The Council gives the contracts out, yes? The Council owns the bus stops, yes? Therefore, the Council should be responsible for labelling what bus stops are/aren’t in use and where commuters should pick up their bus. 

Thu 4 Jun, 11:41

Oh dear, Emily.  You are so certain, aren't you? Stagecoach and the Oxford Bus Company which runs the Pulhams buses are private companies. Suggest you read this. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9464/

Thu 4 Jun, 11:27

All buses are starting at Londis today. Chippy buses are also going via the Woodstock Rd so the journey will take longer.

Thank you our wonderful council(s) for putting temporary bus stops up and letting those travelling know where to stand. It’s disgusting. And I don’t want to hear that it’s not up to the council. You are responsible for the buses - do your job!

Thu 4 Jun, 10:22

In vaguely related news, they were putting signs across the junction of the A44 and B4437 this morning at about 8:45. There's nothing on One Network yet but maybe worth keeping an eye on. 

Thu 4 Jun, 10:19

You might find this a useful read https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/councillors-guide-better-streetworks. It explains the complexity of managing utilities and street works due to legislation

Wed 3 Jun, 23:27

A very pertinent question from Simon, I feel, about who is responsible for giving the utilities a slap on the wrist if they don't carry out their legal responsilities regarding signage, diversions etc adequately.  If the answer is nobody then it is hardly surprising that they sometimes give the impression that they couldn't care less whether they actually do what they are supposed to do or not!

Wed 3 Jun, 19:08 (last edited on Wed 3 Jun, 19:10)

The answer is yes, they are obliged to give permission, but they also have discretion to ensure that they don't overlap.  The Openreach permission was originally granted for the work to happen in mid May so well before the TW work.  When I contacted Circet, the Openreach contractor, yesterday to find out if there was any possibility of allowing traffic through, they took a while to locate the work because the person in charge didn't realise that it was happening this week.  Obviously the diversion route has to be agreed, but what would the alternative route have been?  Like I say, I wish I had magic powers, but I don't.

Wed 3 Jun, 18:58

Liz, When I asked you in my posting on Monday that you tell us the county council’s responsibilities in respect of the road closures that Charlbury has seen over these couple of days, your reply posted yesterday read ‘highways authorities are required to give permission to utility companies to carry out the necessary work’. That suggests that highways are unable to refuse an application for non-emergency work. Can that really be so? If it is the case that they are required to give permission, what is the point of the ‘application’ process? Does the highways authority have no power of veto when they find that the sites of planned works are too close together and conflict – likewise if the dates overlap? There is also the question of diversionary routes. Is the highways department content to totally leave the diversionary route to the company undertaking the work or to their sub-contractors?

Wed 3 Jun, 18:58

Liz, When I asked you in my posting on Monday that you tell us the county council’s responsibilities in respect of the road closures that Charlbury has seen over these couple of days, your reply posted yesterday read ‘highways authorities are required to give permission to utility companies to carry out the necessary work’. That suggests that highways are unable to refuse an application for non-emergency work. Can that really be so? If it is the case that they are required to give permission, what is the point of the ‘application’ process? Does the highways authority have no power of veto when they find that the sites of planned works are too close together and conflict – likewise if the dates overlap? There is also the question of diversionary routes. Is the highways department content to totally leave the diversionary route to the company undertaking the work or to their sub-contractors?

Wed 3 Jun, 17:13

As of Wednesday afternoon, what is the current situation regarding road closures in Charlbury, just so I can let people visiting know? Many thanks in advance for any info/advice.

Wed 3 Jun, 16:59 (last edited on Wed 3 Jun, 16:59)

It would be nice if the council had magic powers over everything including Thames Water, Openreach and the bus companies, but alas, that is not the way it goes. 

Wed 3 Jun, 05:47 (last edited on Thu 4 Jun, 06:01)

Hi Liz. I understand that OCC pass the responsibility to the contractor but who then is responsible for giving the contractor a slap on the wrist for not doing their job properly as it would appear in this situation?

Tue 2 Jun, 17:44 (last edited on Tue 2 Jun, 17:48)

In answer to Brian and others: highways authorities are required to give permission to utility companies to carry out the necessary work.  The utility companies are legally required to manage diversions and signage, ensure safety and pedestrian access, and leave the site in the same condition as they found it.  This is Openreach, not an OCC contract, therefore this is their responsbility.

Tue 2 Jun, 14:52 (last edited on Tue 2 Jun, 15:00)

Christine, the message from Pulhams is as follows:

"Unfortunately, due to road closures in Charlbury any stops that students use along Nine Acres Lane will be dropped of and picked up the crossroads of Enstone Road. This will be until the road closures are over. We apologise for the late notice and for any inconvenience this may cause"

I called them, they were not aware of the additional road closure from tomorrow, but as this is an OCC contract service, they need to speak to OCC about any route diversions. 

Tue 2 Jun, 12:26

Does anyone know if the bus will be picking up at Ticknell Piece tomorrow ( going to witney)

Tue 2 Jun, 12:04

Katie: with regard to the Pulham's school bus picking up at the Enstone Crossroads "for now", do you know exactly where the pick-up is planned? And what is planned for tomorrow?

The Slade (a very short section by the crossroads) will be closed tomorrow and until Friday (3rd - 5th of June), with also a footway closure indicated by Openreach,  and the footpath from Hundley Way to Banbury Hill is also marked for closure by Thames Water on exactly the same dates.

It's all very well Liz saying that OCC bears no responsibility for these works or for communicating with the bus companies, but it was OCC that gave permission for so many Openreach and Thames Water works happening at the same time! 

Tue 2 Jun, 11:36

Whoever decided to put the diversion via Taston should be lynched.  It is far too narrow and the junction with the Enstone Road is appalling as you cannot see oncoming traffic because the verge hasn't been cut.  

Tue 2 Jun, 09:27

Aaand the biggie is going to be Fawler Road being closed for most of the Summer, from the 10th of August to the 13th of September.

Tue 2 Jun, 09:25

Market Street is due a five day closure from the 13th of July.

Tue 2 Jun, 08:35

Just had a message from Pulhams to say that the Chippy school bus will pick up and drop off at Enstone Crossroads instead of Nineacres Lane for now. With the Enstone Road closure, dropping 50 kids off at the Enstone crossroads is not going to be very easy or safe! 

Tue 2 Jun, 08:10 (last edited on Tue 2 Jun, 08:19)

The signed diversion through Taston is sheer lunacy! That road is incapable of taking two way traffic in any volume at all. There is grass growing up the middle of it and the exit onto the B4022 is extremely dangerous as the verges at the junction have not been cut. Doesn’t anyone in OCC Highways vet these proposals? P45 for somebody.

As Alan Cobb posted, the safer option is the junction nearer Enstone, beyond the Thames Water pumping station, but even there the visibility is poor due to high grass and cow parsley.

Mon 1 Jun, 20:51

Looking on one.network, there's no Road Traffic Order listed. I can only assume that it's therefore responsive, rather than preventative, work that's going on. Has anyone down there reported a leak?

Mon 1 Jun, 19:18

The Nine Acres road works may be on One.network now, but were not first thing this morning when the works started.

Mon 1 Jun, 17:58

You can actually drive through on nine acres at the moment if you dont mind being a bit naughty and your car isnt too large. 

Mon 1 Jun, 17:36

Just got on the S3 to Oxford at Dancers Hill. It goes down to Nine Acres Lane, turns around and then back to Oxford. 

Mon 1 Jun, 17:26

And, in an apparently amazing display of un-joined-up planning, as well as the Traffic or for Enstone Road, from 01/06/26 - 05/06/26, there's on for The Slade from 03/06/26 - 05/06/26, which would make Charlbury almost impassable as a through route from the North, and only passable from the South via Park Street and Market Street.

Mon 1 Jun, 17:21

Details available on one.network

Mon 1 Jun, 17:18

Looks like the Traffic Order was posted back in March.

Mon 1 Jun, 17:01

Liz, in view of your comment posted within the past hour, may I ask you to tell us just what the County Council's responsibilities are regarding road closures and everything that goes with them, please?

Mon 1 Jun, 16:39

Having a party in a brewery comes to mind, I think Nine Acres debacle was Thames Water. John H 

Mon 1 Jun, 16:11 (last edited on Mon 1 Jun, 16:13)

This is Openreach, not the council, and they are directly responsible for managing road closures and diversions and advising the bus companies.  

Mon 1 Jun, 15:03 (last edited on Mon 1 Jun, 15:03)

What diversions? Coming in to Charlbury from Chippy at 1.30 today, to find "Road closed" at the bottom of Nineacres, and trafic lights to manage the two way traffic on Thames Street. No diversion signs, and no alternative (unless going the wrong way up Market St) but to proceed down Dyers Hill, and the long way round through Leafield- not one diversion sign anywhere the entire way. Any thought at all given to the effects on  bus users, van drivers, care workers, etc, etc? 

Mon 1 Jun, 14:08

It would appear that some people have decided it is  better to drive the wrong way up Market St than try and negotiate the diversions, so watch out!

Mon 1 Jun, 14:06

Once again, the various council’s are doing an appalling job notifying bus companies and passengers.

I’ve heard the old OCC transport councillor has resigned and we now have a new one. Perhaps they can be contacted.

Mon 1 Jun, 14:04

Rather than go through Taston with its narrow roads and difficult emerge onto the B4022, it would  be easier and safer to carry on towards Enstone and take a right turn at the Y junction onto the B4022.  Maybe a mile further, but a lot easier.

Mon 1 Jun, 13:56

I’m sure there will also be a serious accident pulling out on to the main road from Taston. The grass is so long you can’t see a thing! So dangerous! 

Mon 1 Jun, 13:16 (last edited on Mon 1 Jun, 13:22)

Enstone Road AND the bottom of Nineacres Lane is also closed with Thames Water working down there. It is chaos, there have been both Pulhams and Stagecoach buses stopped here, clearly with no idea or alternative plan in place. Rubbish lorries reversing up Nineacres also. And the posted diversion through Taston is impossible with the single track road and the volume of large traffic trying to use it. 

This has been very poorly planned and is actually dangerous with so many large vehicles having to make tricky 3 point turns in the middle of the road. Also not helped by someone (once again) parking outside the Wigwell nature reserve and creating a chicane on Nineacres Lane, so that traffic can only pass in single file to avoid the road closure.  It's not helping all the buses etc having to turn round at the bottom.

Mon 1 Jun, 11:09

Despite Stagecoach in Perth knowing nothing of disruption here in Charlbury, Enstone Road is closed and the 10.13 service to Oxford was unable to get through to the Bell. The driver had been given no advance information and had to make his own arrangements - presumably turning at the Nine Acres Close/Lane junction and returning along the Slade to Oxford. 

Mon 1 Jun, 10:48

The works are at the junction of Wychwood Paddocks and Enstone Road and bear no resemblance to the plan posted ...there are no details of any works at the bus stop by Wychwood House and earlier this morning the X9 was parked there while the driver tried to find out what is going on!

Mon 1 Jun, 08:55

I've just spoken to Stagecoach HQ in Perth, on 0345 241 8000 as the 01865 772250 phone number no longer works. I was told that they have no notifications of disruption/diversion in Charlbury and that all earlier services this morning operated to time. Hope that helps.

Mon 1 Jun, 08:36 (last edited on Mon 1 Jun, 08:38)

Going by recent post,  I wouldn't worry about parcel delivery as it probably be delivered to wrong address anyway 

Mon 1 Jun, 08:26

The magical mystery dates of closures/diversions, parking and bus routes continues this week. Will the delivery men be able to get my urgent parcel to me on time? A prize awaits anyone who can solve the conundrum.

Sun 31 May, 15:43

Does anyone know how buses will be re-routed and where the bus stops will be on the opposite side of the road from where they normally travel?