New Oxfordshire 20mph speed limits approved for 14 villages

Crawley near Witney and Goosey near Wantage are just two areas that will see the new rules put in place after they were approved by cabinet member for infrastructure Judy Roberts in a council meeting yesterday (July 18) morning.

This comes as Andrew Gant, cabinet member for transport management, was unable to attend the transport management meeting. 

READ MORE: Cornmarket Street in Oxford has 'huge binbags' piled high

Oxfordshire County Council says it is rolling out 20mph areas as a replacement for 30mph areas "where there is local support".

Judy Roberts (L). (Image: Oxfordshire County Council.)

The majority of respondents to consultations on the limits were in support though there were some objections which included claims the limit was "far too low for the main road through the village" in Fulbrook and that "drivers are inattentive driving at 20mph".

But speaking at the start of the meeting, co-chairman of the Coalition of Healthy Streets and Active Travel, Robin Tucker, said: "Each time I come to address this meeting in support of 20 mile an hour speed limits I wonder if I will have anything new to say but each time there seems to be some new evidence adding to the case that they reduce casualties and benefit their communities."

Mr Tucker went on to cite examples in Wales and said he had "cycled through almost all" of the 15 proposed sites, "each brought forward by their parish council".

He added: "We note the huge public support – consultations are not referendums but more about the identification of possible problems.

20mph sign. (Image: Ed Nix.)

"And to find net support in 12 of the 15 schemes shows the underlying support for safer roads."

Ms Roberts approved all the speed limits but deferred the decision on limits for Appleton with Eaton.

This comes as officer Paul Fermer asked whether it was worth deferring the item to the end of the meeting as the report's author was not available.

Some householders in both areas had also raised concerns the limits were "excessively slow".

An anonymous contributor, who lives in Bablock Hythe Road in Eaton, said: "Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) has not mentioned any of the negative implications of reducing the traffic speed from 30 to 20 mph.

Oxfordshire cyclists. (Image: Tejvan Pettinger)

"As such the presentation is biased and leads to poor decision making.

"Maybe OCC should instruct all vehicles to have a person walking in front of a vehicle waving a red flag.

"The OCC could better use its limited financial resources in other ways to improve overall road safety. Slow driving is also hazardous as it promotes road rage and impatience."

The 20mph schemes have been approved for the following areas: Benson: Preston Crowmarsh and RAF Benson; Crawley; Fencott & Murcott; Fulbrook; Goring Heath; Goosey; Harwell: Milton Heights; Hinton Waldrist; Kiddington with Asterleigh; Moreton (Thame); Pusey; Rotherfield Greys; Tetsworth; Woodeaton.

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About the author

Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county. 

She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.

Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi