Oakham's Transport Hub Project Delayed Over Safety Concerns
Plans for a new transport hub in Oakham, Rutland, have hit a roadblock due to concerns about pedestrian safety. The county council's planning committee has deferred the decision on granting planning permission for the project, located on Cold Overton Road, following concerns raised by committee members.
One councillor described the current proposal as "dangerous," highlighting the need for a more robust pedestrian access plan. The committee expressed concerns about the existing crossing on Cold Overton Road, particularly given the busy traffic in the area.
The proposed transport hub, housed in the Jules House building, would serve the new on-demand bus system between Oakham and Melton Mowbray. It is part of a £6 million project funded in part by the government's Levelling Up Fund.
The council's plan included a new pedestrian crossing on Cold Overton Road and retaining the existing nearby crossing. However, committee members felt that this did not adequately address safety concerns.
Chairperson of the committee, Coun Nick Begy, expressed concerns about the focus on cost rather than safety in the pedestrian scheme. Coun Raymond Payne, representing Oakham South, acknowledged the difficulty of crossing Cold Overton Road and the need for improvements.
The planning officer, Julie Smith, also raised concerns about the application and awaited a safety audit. Coun Abigail West expressed concerns about the potential impact of traffic lights on the road, while the planning officer warned of the risk of vehicles becoming stranded on the rail line.
Oakham Town Council had also written to the county council expressing major safety concerns.
In light of these concerns, the planning committee deferred making a decision until the council has thoroughly assessed all potential options for a safe pedestrian crossing and considered the possibility of raising parts of the roadway. This delay could potentially push back the start date of the development.
