20mph limits to be extended on streets across Wallingford

Last year county councillors introduced 20mph speed restrictions in the town, replacing the majority of the 30mph speed limits in the process.

But it was also proposed that lengths of 30mph speed limit would be retained on approaches to the town on Castle Street/Shillingford Road, Reading Road, Winterbrook Lane, Hithercroft Road and Wantage Road.

READ MORE: Town pub celebrates winning real ale awards 

Now this proposal has been abandoned. and councillors want to extend the 20mph hour sections on roads linking the town centre with the bypass.

Wallingford county councillor Pete Sudbury, who is also county councillor with responsibility for climate change, said: "We have asked for the 20mph limit agreed as a result of the last consultation to be extended out to the bypass for Reading Road, Hithercroft Road, Wantage Road, and for the section of Castle Street from the end of the new 40mph limit on Shillingford Road.

"This is all based on real evidence that 20mph limits reduce death and serious injuries and increase people's perception of safety.

"And 20mph signs at the ring road will be discouraging for those who are thinking of using the town as a short cut to somewhere else."

READ MORE: Gender gap pass rate at Oxford test centre is revealed 

Oxfordshire County Council confirmed new 20mph sections are now being proposed for Reading Road, Wantage Road, Hithercroft and Shillingford Road/Castle Street.

A county spokesperson added: "Nothing has been installed yet.

"We need to re-consult because there are now proposals for 20mph on roads that were not approved under the previous proposal."

The highways department at the county council has been rolling out 20mph schemes for towns across the county, and many 20mph signs are now in place in town centres, and in residential streets.

Mr Sudbury is a leading supporter of new 20mph limits in Wallingford.

He said last year: "Wallingford is used by drivers as a cut through from Shillingford to Didcot to avoid the bypass so there are a lot of cars in a hurry driving carelessly and rapidly.

“20mph limits discourage that to some extent. Even if you don’t respect it, the car in front will.”

READ MORE: Oxford United pay tribute to former director of football

The 20mph policy is part of a long-running scheme by the county council to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by replacing 30mph limits with 20mph limits where there is local support.

Support for the amended plans may not be unanimous.

Last year the owner of a taxi service in Wallingford claimed that a blanket limit was not the way forward.

“In a school area, I think it is ok, but if there is no school and it is a clear road, then 20mph is not needed,” said the owner of Wallingford A1 Taxi Service, who asked not to be named.

He added in October: "It is obvious that it will cause traffic jams and it will take a bit more time to get to jobs.

“Lots of customers have been talking to me about it and obviously the council feels that it is needed. I think some places need it and some places don’t.

“Some places where there is nothing, just houses and no children around, it is not justified.”

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe 

As a digital subscriber you will get: 

• Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website 
• Advert-light access 
• Reader rewards 
• Full access to our app 

About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.