A41 Bicester Road Aylesbury highway improvements consultation

Closed 15 Feb 2021

Opened 18 Jan 2021

Results updated 20 Apr 2021

We would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation.

Promotion and publicity

We used a range of methods to raise awareness of the consultation, including:

  • Approximately 6,000 consultation leaflets distributed to local properties
  • Press release to local newspapers, magazines, radio stations and other media
  • Social media posts
  • Live online question and answer (Q&A) session during the evening of 28 January 2021
  • Email bulletin updates to those who register interest in the project
  • Information on our main A41 project webpage and this consultation webpage

Responses

  • 143 responses received through the online feedback form
  • 25 email responses
  •  25 attendees at the live online Q&A event

Findings

We collated and analysed all responses gathered from the online feedback form, Q&A session and emails received. The main findings were:

  • Most respondents travelled on the A41 by car or motorcycle
  • 78% of respondents think traffic congestion along this route is a problem
  • 63% of respondents support measures to improve cycling and walking routes
  • 39% of respondents support measures to improve traffic-flow, journey times and journey time reliability, 55% oppose them and 6% are undecided
  • Most respondents opposing the proposals live on side roads close to the scheme and many are concerned about journey times to get on to the A41
  • We acknowledge that some journey times from side roads will worsen slightly but journey time savings will be made once they join the A41
  • Other concerns raised are:
    • introducing traffic lights at Jackson Road to replace the roundabout
    • the need for greater pedestrian access near Haydon Hill Park entrance
    • narrowing of existing footways
    • road-widening between Rabans Lane junction and Jackson Road junction
    • existing parking along the A41 close to Tesco

Summaries of the consultation findings are available in section 7 of the Report to the Leader and the Consultation Responses Document. Further response details are available in Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 of that report.

Our response to points raised in the consultation

In response to the concerns raised in the consultation we are looking at:

  • improving accesses from side roads that join Jackson Road and Dickens Way by providing ‘Keep Clear’ markings at key junctions off the A41
  • providing a new footway from the Haydon Hill Park entrance along to the bus stop on the southern side of the A41
  • not widening the road between Rabans Lane and Jackson Road but instead reallocating road space via road markings
  • keeping the existing footway widths as far as reasonably practicable
  • monitoring the parking outside Tesco

Decision

The Head of Highways Infrastructure considered the consultation reports and final proposal for scheme. On 19 March 2021 he took the formal decision to approve the recommended A41 Bicester Road Highway Improvements scheme.

Scheduled work

We have scheduled construction works to take place between Summer 2021 and Spring 2022.

Overview

Buckinghamshire Council logo

The A41 Bicester Road is an important transport route linking Aylesbury town centre with Aylesbury Vale Parkway rail station. The high volume of traffic using this route daily causes regular traffic congestion, particularly at peak travel times.

To help address the congestion and improve traffic flow, we are proposing some highway improvements along the route between the railway station and Gatehouse roundabout.

In this consultation we would like to hear what you think about the potential changes.

The proposals

Proposals to improve traffic flow, journey times and journey time reliability for all vehicles along this route include:

  • signalisation of the A41 Bicester Road/Jackson Road / Dickens Way junction
  • extension of the right-turn westbound lane on A41 Bicester Road at the junction with Paradise Orchard
  • relocation of the existing eastbound bus lane to commence at the River Thame Bridge, ending shortly before the Jackson Road / Dickens Way junction
  • use of new ‘intelligent’ traffic lights that manage traffic-flow
  • road-widening
  • a relocated bus lane to prioritise buses
  • installation of bus arrival information boards at 4 bus stops

Proposals to improve the walking and cycling experience along the route include:

  • a new toucan crossing on Jackson Road
  • a new pedestrian island on Dickens Way
  • a new pedestrian island across the A41 by Haydon Hill Park
  • upgrading pavements

Developing the proposals

More details about the work we’ve completed to develop the proposals is available in the following consultation brochure. The brochure can be downloaded from the attachment available at the bottom of this webpage.

Your browser does not support inline PDF viewing.Please download the PDF.

To view further details, please visit the A41 Bicester Road project webpage.

Take part in the consultation

Please submit your consultation feedback in one of the following ways:

  • complete the online feedback form below
  • email us on hitmailbox@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
  • write to us at A41 Bicester Road Consultation, Highways Infrastructure Projects Team, Buckinghamshire Council, Floor 7, Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1UY

If you need the consultation survey in another format, please email us on hitmailbox@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or phone us on 01296 382416.

Live online event

We will host a live, online question and answer session on Thursday 28 January from 6pm until 7.30pm. If you would like to take part, please email us on  hitmailbox@buckinghamshire.gov.uk and we will send you an email invitation.

To help us answer questions effectively and make best use of the time, please email your questions in advance wherever possible.

Receive project updates

If you would like to receive updates about this project, please provide your email address in the feedback form. Or you can register for updates using our separate A41 Bicester Road update registration form.

What happens next

We will consider the feedback we receive and review our proposals. Where feasible, we may amend our designs to reflect public comments.

The Head of Highways and the Cabinet Member for Transportation will then decide on the final scheme proposal.

We will inform any consultees who provide their contact details about the decision. We will also publish an update on this webpage.

We estimate construction on approved works should begin during the summer of 2021.

Privacy

We will use the information you provide here only for the purpose of this consultation. We will store the information securely in line with data protection laws and will not share or publish any personal information. Please visit the Privacy page to read our full privacy notice.

Areas

  • Aylesbury

Interests

  • Transport
  • Roads & parking