A host of villages and towns have had 20mph limits approved by Oxfordshire County Council.

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

The scheme is intended to improve road safety and reduce congestion and air pollution.

READ MORE: Plans for 20mph speed limit in Didcot faces uncertain future

At a meeting on March 23, Cllr Andrew Gant, cabinet member for highways management, approved a number of 20mph limits across Oxfordshire.

The limit was approved throughout almost the entirety of Benson, besides the new housing estate off Littleworth Road which is not currently within the highway boundary.

In Charlbury, speed reductions were approved on the B4022 road which runs through the town.

The limits were also approved on Nine Acres Lane, Dyers Hill, Grammar School Hill, and sections of Charlbury Road and Woodstock Road.

Cllr Gant approved a 20mph speed limit in North Aston and a new 50mph speed limit on the A4260 Oxford Road between Deddington and North Aston.

Similarly, 20mph proposals were approved for Uffington, Watlington, Sydenham, West Challow, and West Hanney.

It was also approved in East Challow despite the concerns of bus companies Stagecoach and Thames Travel that it would affect services.

However, a decision on the limits in Woodcote were deferred to seek further work with the bus companies.