/ Awards / Oxford Direct Services recognised with Oxford Preservation Trust Award for sensitive highways project

Oxford Direct Services recognised with Oxford Preservation Trust Award for sensitive highways project

Parul Dubey on November 30, 2018 - in Awards, News

Oxford Direct Services has been recognised by the Oxford Preservation Trust (OPT) for its work improving a high profile city centre road junction in a Grade One listed conservation area in a project jointly funded by the City and County Councils and Oxford University. The OPT awarded the Broad Street/Parks Road/Holywell Street/Catte Street junction improvement an award in the Landscape and Public Realm category.

 

The ODS Highways team installed a raised asphalt table top roundabout and pedestrian crossing points to replace ageing traffic lights. The work also included additional drainage installation and the alteration of existing footways.

 

The Oxford Preservation Trust Awards celebrate good design and conservation, keeping the best of the old and encouraging the best of the new. This 41st year of the OPT Awards attracted the highest number of entries to date with 44 in total. The Panel awarded 11 plaques and 11 certificates across the categories of Large Building Conservation, Small Building Conservation, New Buildings, Small Projects and Landscape and Public Realm (inc. Nature Conservation).

 

Oliver Hearn, Highways Manager at ODS, said, “This is an excellent example of Oxford organisations coming together to jointly plan, fund and successfully execute a highways project in a very high profile and sensitive area of the city. Due to the location and undulating ground levels of the different road junctions at this intersection, the ODS Highways team had to use all its skill and expertise to design and deliver an improvement that was both effective for traffic and pedestrians alike and fitting for the environment.”

 

Debbie Dance, OPT Director, added, “OPT has long been involved in wanting to see improvements in Broad Street and were delighted to recognise the work. It was good to hear of the strong partnership who together have created a new road layout which is more practical and safe to use, reduces clutter and enhances the view down Broad Street.”

 

In April 2018, Oxford City Council divested itself of ODS to create a wholly-owned social enterprise with over 700 staff transferred to the new organisation. ODS delivers a wide-range of services to over 150,000 residents, businesses and organisations in the Oxford area including highways and engineering, waste and recycling, street cleaning, construction, property and grounds maintenance. The new structure allows ODS to offer its services to other commercial customers with all profits generated being reinvested back into the community, via the city council.

 

About Oxford Direct Services

Founded in 2012, Oxford Direct Services is now a social enterprise wholly owned by Oxford City Council. Employing over 700 staff, ODS serves Oxford City Council – its largest customer – providing services to residents and businesses to keep the city running day and night. In addition, ODS serves a large number of businesses, schools, universities and other organisations in and around Oxford. ODS provides a range of services in the following areas: recycling and waste management, highways and engineering, construction and motor transport along with pest control, landscaping and ground maintenance. All ODS’ profits are returned to Oxford City Council to help fund public services.

 

For further information, please visit www.oxforddirectservices.co.uk

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