New speed indicator signs are now working across Abingdon - some in new 20mph zones.

The new signs inform drivers how fast they are going and advise them to reduce their speed.

Oxfordshire County Council has been introducing new 20mph limits in towns across the county.

READ MORE: Latest on Botley Road delays 

A spokesman for the county council said the introduction of the new speed indicator signs was a joint project between Abingdon Town Council and Oxfordshire County Council’s Traffic & Road Safety team.

The signs include those in Oxford Road and Spring Road.

A spokesman for the county council said: "The speed indicator devices (SIDs) have been purchased and are operated by the town council.

"OCC have agreed locations and supplied and installed the posts.

"The county council is contributing £6,450 for the installation from our 24/25 Accessibility & Road Safety budget.

OCC does have a separate £500,000 programme as part of our 20mph project to update existing vehicle activated signs (VASs), but this work has yet to start."

It is understood that the solar-powered signs are equipped with built-in batteries and collect data on vehicle speeds, which can be analysed.

Several signs have been positioned near the town’s entry points, including in Drayton Road and Oxford Road.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) The speed indicator at Abingdon Bridge is situated in the recently implemented 20mph zone.

Certain speed indicator signs such as those in Copenhagen Drive and Audlett Drive, both 30mph zones, can be manually rotated to check speeds from either direction.

In June resurfacing work was carried out in Oxford Road.

Abingdon town councillor Tom Greenaway said on Facebook: "As some of you may have noticed, Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council have begun installing speed indicator signs across town.

"These signs are installed/will be installed in locations such as the boundaries of speed limit changes, injury hotspots, routes into town and some gathering places like schools making them an important tool in keeping us all safe as we go about our day."

(Image: Andy Ffrench) He added: "The original budget for 14 poles and 7 speed indicators was £20,000, and the project is currently anticipated to come in under that budget.

"Behind every collision, there are physical, emotional, and financial costs incurred. Most obviously this financial cost is vehicle damage or higher insurance costs, but it can also be things like medical care, lost earnings over a lifetime or the pain and distress it causes the people involved."

Mr Greenaway said the speed indicator signs have a long track record of working across the world.

He added: "They are another tool in helping us make the roads safe for everyone. Of course they're not a silver bullet and I'm glad to see my colleagues on other councils continue to push for things like pedestrian crossings."

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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. 

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