Wallingford and Thame have adopted 20mph speed limits in residential areas, joining a broader Oxfordshire initiative for safer roads.

These two towns were part of 18 successful applications approved by Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport management.

The other approved areas include Alvescot, Ardington & Lockinge, Backthorn, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, and Buckland.

Cllr Gant said: "This is another landmark moment for our 20mph policy.

"We believe these changes will make these towns and villages safer, quieter and less polluted places and will encourage more people to cycle and walk – reducing the county’s carbon footprint."

He highlighted a sharp increase in survival rates for pedestrians hit by cars travelling at 20mph versus 30mph.

By 2024, in a scheme costing £8 million, these slower limits are planned for approximately 234 of the 310 parishes in Oxfordshire.

Witney and Abingdon have already rolled out these speed restrictions.

Whilst town and parish councils will bear the cost of traffic calming measures, Oxfordshire County Council will fund signage for areas that meet the predefined 20mph criteria.

The council has collaborated with Thames Valley Police, stressing that a change in driver mentality, rather than enforcement, is crucial to compliance.

With the growing prevalence of 20mph areas, the council hopes that exceeding the limit will be deemed unacceptable.

This 20mph project supports the council's Vision Zero policy, aspiring to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries on Oxfordshire's roads by 2050.