CAMPAIGNERS are fighting to improve road safety and bring in a 20mph speed limit in Witney.

Concerned pedestrianswant to follow in the footsteps of the Oxford Pedestrians Association, which two months ago won its fight for 20mph speed limits on most roads in the city following a long campaign.

The county council had proposed reducing speed limits for residential roads in Witney in 2003, in a revision of the the town’s Integrated Transport Strategy.

But a cut in Government funding led to the idea being scrapped.

Now residents want to revive the scheme. A Witney Pedestrians’ Association is being set up, with a public meeting being held at the Corn Exchange, Witney, at 7pm on Saturday.

Brigitte Hickman, 43, of Farmers Close, Witney said: “Pedestrians are the biggest group of people and they have been instrumental in getting 20mph in Oxford.

“It would be nice if that group of people could get it into Witney – the town is chock-a-block with cars.

“It’s a very beautiful town but there’s a constant stream of traffic right through the middle of it. “We want to take back the public realm for people to walk in it.

“A 20 speed limit raises drivers awareness that a place is a living, breathing town with pedestrians.”

County council spokesman Marcus Mabberley said: "The council wants to evaluate the 20mph Oxford scheme before considering rolling out 20mph in other areas."

cwalker@oxfordmail.co.uk Anyone interested in joining Witney Pedestrians’ Association should mail brigitte@ supershed.org.uk