Notes on Henley Transport Project Meeting
Town Hall
24th September 2014
Apologies: David Nimmo Smith, Liz Hodgkin, Martin Akehurst, Karen Anderton, Susan Edwards,
Phil Stubbington, Val Stoner
Reports from working parties:
1) Air Pollution and HGVs
Justin Bowles : Need to continue lobbying HTC regarding HGV traffic regulation. Reasons for a
TRO in Road Traffic act: a) structural b)Environmental. Traffic Regulation Orders around the country on such bases; HTC support a TRO for environmental reasons.
Lobbying OCC (ic transport) SODC (ic air quality) but latter no power to do anything without OCC support
OCC published air quality action plan. AQ report a few months ago lacked any reference to
Henley, but recommendations included 2 new ones: i) low emission zone, which is very complicated to enact and police. No funds to support it. ii) Hubs for distribution, so reducing HGV movements. But unlikely to be implemented. Best route to reduce HGV movements as they are major contributor to pollution.
MP John Howell created an initiative bringing interested parties together, which led to submission to OCC regarding HGV movements. OCC promised to put into LTP4 for Oxfordshire. Unless huge political pressure, unlikely to act. Only way to get anything included in plan is to have strong political pressure from across Oxfordshire.
So, HTC need to keep pushing the TRO with OCC. Evidence of concern with TRO for Henley among candidates in next election might stimulate action by MP Howell.
TROs distinguish between local deliveries and transit. Technology can help monitor. The problem is the 'rat run' lorries, which should be on the trunk roads, which were built with HGVs in mind, rather than using shorter and cheaper routes via Henley.
New vehicle taxation arrangements & developing technology will make it possible to monitor traffic more cheaply and effectively.
Noted that UK in default on applying Euro air pollution legislation.
2. Public Transport
Patrick Fleming on Trains
There has been No public representation from town or area with First Great Western for Henley branch line.
Without branch line, Henley would become less attractive, cf. Wallingford
MP John Howell called public meeting, Henley Branch Line User Group to be constituted on 25th
September to continue to represent users in Henley, Shiplake, Wargrave, Twyford
User group dealing with i.
Operational issues: e.g. late and crowded trains

ii.
Strategic issues: e.g First Great Western anxious to secure renewal of franchise. Govt would prefer them to continue so as to avoid complications during electrification of line
Electrification of branch line not a certainty at all. Without it, line becomes an anachronism, and will diminish. Still have a lot of campaigning to do to reinforce the political will to get it done. Other branches also affected.
Watching brief on Cross Rail, even though 4 years ahead.
Timetable changes: aiming for a ( 2x ) half hour service, as well as later services, and Sunday service improvements.
Getting support and involvement is difficult.
Dave McEwen, for Susan Edwards: Buses
Focus on practical issues, e.g. lack of clarity of signage on buses regarding destination, need for timetables on bus stops kin addition to the one outside Bodywise, improvement of information on buses in published information. The booklet of bus timetables now out of print - OCC say they have no budget to print more.
Community Bus Service: South Stoke PC have arranged a service to coordinate with trains in
Goring and buses in Wallingford.
June 2017 current franchise ends for town bus service. Need to find out how to be involved in process of renewal. Dave to see Nimmo Smith
Changes to Oxford service more convenient but little publicised or known about.
3. Cycling
Routes incorporated in NP
Contact with Bike Safe Eynsham
Welcome other members to participate in cycling group
Shiplake cycle route parallel to rail line. Shiplake PC have had meetings with Network Rail so this is on the table.
HTC considered working with Shiplake re electrification, but this wasn't pursued.
HTC need pressurising, wait for moment to arise, on pursuing this.
Henley Transport Strategy - Dave McEwen
12 projects in County have obtained funding in budget to 2020, but nothing for Henley
The Problem: congestion pollution
NP - 450 extra houses in Henley plus more in surrounding area
Need for a 'modal shift', as referred to by Ian Huspeth, Leader of OCC

The Solution:
Recognition of seriousness of problem
Involving all interested parties
Project team needed, involving OCC, SODC, HTC Henley Partnership + other community / residents groups such as HIT, to develop a Transport Strategy for Henley
Meanwhile, there is a lot that we can do...
Air Pollution
NOx recognized since 1997
AQMA introduced 2003
2007- SCOOT traffic light system
Narrow streets and canyon effect mean that pollution is not easily dispersed
At current levels health is being affected. A factor in refusal of planning permission for outside seating outside coffee shop in Duke Street. Planning permission granted on appeal to govt inspector based in Bristol(??)
HGVs make up 3% traffic, but 19% of the pollution, as measured by NOx emissions
Transiting HGVs estimated to make up to 50% of HGV traffic at peak times
Buses make up 1% but 19% of pollution -- need for low emission buses in next franchise
Traffic Congestion
Queues on all approach roads to the town at rush hour and weekends
Over-reliance on the car for short journeys
Cycle ownership is high but usage for commuting very low
Public transport needs to be significantly improved modal shift needed away from cars
Pollution: Short term measures
Weight limit TRO - see Justin's report
Award bus contract to companies prepared to introduce low emission vehicles
Countdown traffic lights
'Stop idling' campaign
Publicise the problem -- eg letters to press
Pollution: long term measures
Remove traffic lights as part of extending the one way system
Low Emission Zone
Encourage low emission vehicles
Henley Town Bus Service:
More frequent: 4 x an hour?
Link strategic sites in town
Park & Ride
Access to shared surface of extended pedestrian scheme
Bus Connections
Improvements needed to London, Heathrow, local towns and villages
Train Service improvements - see above
Cycling

Cycle lanes as part of one-way system
Walking
Extend pedestrianisation scheme
Better sign posting and promotion of routes
"Beat the Street" scheme for primary schools cf. Caversham
Cars and Parking
Henley Car Share Scheme to reduce number of journeys made
Henley Car Club: to free up parking spaces. Would be particularly effective in residents streets close to Town Centre
Park & Ride/Park & Stride/Park & Glide
20 mph zone in and around the town centre
Pedestrianisation & 1-way system
Pedestrianisation extended to whole of Falaise Square, Duke and Bell Streets
Hart St closed off -- allows extra parking
1-way system as a box around central area
Traffic lights removed
'Merge in Turn' system at junctions
No panacea: other measures outlined needed to reduce car use
Note: business person from Duke Street said that passing traffic generates business, so not at all in favour of pedestrianisation of the street
Hart Street: 40 households -- quite densely populated
Pedestriabisation encourages use of public transport, cycling and walking by allowing cyclists and buses access to shared surface at walking speed and incorporating cycle lanes
Outcomes
Reduction in pollution in central area
Keep traffic moving which helps avoid long queues as well as reducing pollution
Travel Plans
Encourage organisations to produce travel plans, e.g. businesses, schools
Possible ideas include: provision of mini-buses and coaches car share scheme measures to encourage cycling and walking
Innovative ideas could make Henley unigue and add to attraction of town shared taxis electric scooters

land train, as in amusement parks
Further research
Existing pedestrian schemes shared surfaces (who shares)
1-way system town bus service
Moving forward
Survey of journeys currently undertaken, difficulties and possibilities of change involve local councils, Henley Business Partnership, residents, College, Henley Standard
Neighbourhood Plan - talk to developers
OCC --LTP4 (Local Transport Plan)
SODC -- air quality
Town Council -- coordinate a Project Team to develop Henley Transport Strategy?
Henley Business Partnership - views of local business important
Henley College/University of Reading - HIT have contacts which could be used to get further research done
Green Living Coordinator - funded from developer's section 106 payments - or in same way as
Town Centre Manager
Action: put link to SODC pollution web site on HIT website
Ron White and Dave McEwen
Henley in Transition's Transport Project
28th September 2014