A uniform 30mph speed limit in built-up areas could be in place throughout west Oxfordshire later this year.

The final stages of consultation in the county's Speedwatch campaign are coming to an end and the first road signs should go up next month, at a cost of £60,000.

The hopes are that all will be in place by the end of November.

A built-up area is defined as a settlement of 20 or more houses, so the limit will be a blanket one - with just a few exceptions - in every town, village and hamlet across the district.

Geoff Barrell, the county's principal engineer, said: "What we are trying to achieve is consistency. Where there is a built-up area, the speed will be 30mph.

"Enforcing the limits is another matter. Our Speedwatch campaign is aimed at changing the attitudes of drivers and raising their awareness of speed."

The administrative and legal side of the campaign is now almost wrapped up, following acceptance by the highways and road safety sub-committee of the last batch of orders for parishes in the district.

Only two await more consultation - Lidstone, near Enstone, and Wootton, near Woodstock. Residents at both places have called for a 20mph limit.

Thames Valley Police raised objections to six out of the final 24 speed limit orders, arguing that they were unrealistic for enforcement purposes.