Highways chief sets new reduced speed limits for 17 roads

LOWER 40mph and 50mph speed limits will be put in place between Oxford and Reading to improve road safety.

The restrictions will be put in place on 17 busy roads following investigations by Oxfordshire County Council, the highways authority.

Most of the stretches of road are currently set at the national speed limit, which is 70mph for dual carriageways and 60mph on single carriageways.

A new 40mph limit will be introduced on eight roads, including the A4074 dual carriageway between Caversham and the Heyford Hill roundabout, which passes through Nuneham Courtenay, Berinsfield, Wallingford and Woodcote.

The speed will also apply from Ipsden to Woodcote, the B471 in Woodcote and Church Lane in Ipsden.

A new 50mph speed limit is to be introduced on nine roads. This includes the A4074 from Nuneham Courtenay to Berinsfield, from Shillingford to Benson, from Benson to Crowmarsh, from Wallingford to Ipsden and from Ipsden to Woodcote, the A4130 Wallingford Bypass, Exlade Street and Main Street in Checkendon and Reading Road in Woodcote.

A consultation, which was carried out from May 21 to June 20, received 564 responses, with an average of 62 per cent of respondents objecting to the proposal.

A resident living in West Chiltern in Woodcote objected. They said: “There is poor evidence decreasing speed limits will decrease incidents.

“Evidence thus far stated has focused on collision speeds rather than the posted limits and it should be obvious that most collision speeds will be well below posted limits as people slow to avoid the issue.

“We are risking a situation further developing where Oxfordshire is known for having limits 10 to 20mph below the intended speed of the road.

“This simply creates a situation where drivers no longer respect speed limits and generates greater speed differences and frustrations as increasing numbers try to overtake the few that will stay below the limits. This is more dangerous and is something we must work to avoid.”

Thames Valley Police raised concerns, noting that reducing speed limits without accompanying physical road changes may not achieve the desired compliance or safety improvements.

Thames Travel, which operates the X40 bus service along the route, objected on the grounds of additional journey times and potential impact on the resources required to maintain the schedule.

But Mapledurham Parish Council supported the proposal and added Chazey Heath residents “have been calling for such a reduction for many years”.

Kidmore End Parish Council also said it “welcomes and wholeheartedly supports the proposals”.

The decision was approved by county councillor Andrew Gant, cabinet member for transport management.