Negotiations over potential 20mph speed limits in Didcot have reached a deadlock between the town council and Oxfordshire County Council.

The proposals are part of the county council’s three-year scheme to introduce 20mph speeds as the new 30mph for communities where there is local support.

In Didcot, it was agreed last year to introduce the limits in Ladygrove, where the first speed signs went up last week.

Now, the county council is asking Didcot Town Council to feedback on where else the 20mph speed limits should be introduced.

However, the town council said it will not decide until a feasibility study is conducted by the county council, which has repeatedly refused the request.

With Didcot’s case scheduled to be heard in 2024 – 2025, it leaves the authorities at an impasse and the future of the proposals uncertain.

Town council leader Mocky Khan said the county council’s “expertise and advice” were needed so the decision was not rushed.

He said: “We are a small town council, and, although we are growing, carrying out our own studies would take time and money.

“They (the county council) have the resources and data to carry out the study, and we can then decide it at council whether we want it or not.

“I don’t want there to be a 20mph blanket speed limit but it would be appropriate near schools and in residential areas.

“But where there is full flowing traffic, and it is not residential, then the appropriate speed limit should be used.”

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Ladygrove ward town councillor David Rouane acknowledged it was more complicated to implement the scheme throughout Didcot but accused his own council of being “timid.”  

He said: “It seems to me that the town council is hiding behind whether it’s feasible when really they need to make a decision.

“I think the majority of the council think that 20mph is the right thing to do in residential areas but they are timid about what the reaction might be.”

A spokesman for the county council said a decision would be made by the cabinet member for highways management following a report prepared by officers.

He said: “Oxfordshire County Council will only implement 20mph programmes in areas where they have the support of the local town or parish council and the ward county councillor.

“If the application no longer has the support of Didcot Town Council, it will no longer be considered.

“We will not be carrying out a feasibility study as we do not believe it is necessary. We are happy that it is feasible to bring in 20mph limits to Didcot if requested by the town council.”