Some 20mph signs have been defaced in North and West Oxfordshire, according to the county council.

A county council spokesperson said: "There have been a handful of cases of signs being vandalised or defaced, mainly in the north and west of the county.

"We can’t be any more specific than that."

It comes as people living in Bampton complained they were 'baffled' by a mixture of contradictory speed signs with some of the new 20mph signs spray painted and some not.

The county council said it appeared "that at this location, and other sites on previous occasions, people have taken it upon themselves to remove this grey paint".

Oxford Mail:

Oxfordshire County Council's £8million three-year scheme sees 20 introduced as the new 30 for communities where there is local support, with the aim being to reduce congestion and air pollution and make roads safer.

In July, Witney became the first town in the county to have the speed restrictions approved in all residential areas. 

But the move caused consternation as more than half of people who took part in a consultation objected to the new limits.

Of the 288 online responses, only 93 supported the scheme.

And when council bosses were forced to cover up new 20mph signs put in place next to existing 30mph road markings motorists blasted the new signs as a “waste of money”, “stupid” and “confusing”.

Contractors working for the county council now take a photo immediately upon installation of a signand again once the paint has been removed.

"This will provide evidence that we are following common practice and not creating confusion whilst delivering what is a key and important project," said a spokesperson.

 

Read more from this author

This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

Profile: Miranda Norris Journalists news from the Oxford Mail