More communities have had their applications to bring in 20mph limits approved by the council.

Oxfordshire County Council claims it has been inundated with requests for 20mph zones since it launched a scheme in February 2022.

The first two phases of the project were fully booked, although communities have a small window to apply to be part of the third and final delivery phase which takes place in 2024 - 25.

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Eight more communities have now had their applications to bring in 20mph limits approved by the council.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport management, approved applications for at a meeting on Thursday.

The areas include Watchfield, Towersey, Nuneham Courtenay, Newington, Drayton, Littleworth and Bloxham.

Approval was also granted for 20mph limits on the Deanfield Green residential estate in East Hagbourne as part of housing development works.

Nuneham Courtenay was approved with an agreement that council officers will work with bus operators to look at the impact on services.

Drayton was partially approved with 20mph limits coming in north of Kiln Lane only, but with a view to promoting a 20mph limit as part of the A4017 traffic calming measures in the future.

Mr Gant said: “Out of about 310 parishes in Oxfordshire, only about 40 have failed to respond to our invitation to provide 20mph limits. So this is their last chance to get their applications in if they want to get involved.

“There is a clear link between the speed of traffic and the likelihood of accidents happening in which people are killed or injured. You are seven times more likely to survive if you are hit by a car driving at 20mph than if you are hit at 30mph.”

Oxford Mail: Andrew Gant Andrew Gant (Image: Ed Nix)Applications for 20mph streets and roads need to be supported by the parish or town council and the relevant local county councillor.

The closing date is Tuesday, October 31.

More information, including details about how to apply, is available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

The scheme is free to town and parish councils, with the county council funding sign-only changes for areas wishing to be part of the changes as long as locations meet the agreed criteria for 20mph restrictions.

Town and parish councils will be expected to fund any traffic calming measures or speed activated signs that may be required to support the new limit in their areas.

Towns and villages which want to bring in 20mph limits have until the end of the month to get applications in.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1