The roll-out of new 20mph speed limits has begun in part of Oxfordshire, prompting joy from some politicians who say the impacted areas previously had a “speeding problem”.
East Challow, which is just a mile from the market town of Wantage, is “taking part” in the 20mph scheme.
Councillors Dr Paul Barrow and Andy Gregson were on site to advise on implementing the new limits, which were approved in April of last year, along with restrictions for eight other areas in the county.
East Challow, near Wantage
Oxfordshire County Council says it is “rolling out 20mph areas as a replacement for 30mph areas, where there is local support” – as part of its vision to “eliminate deaths and serious injuries from road traffic collisions”.
Thames Valley Police had previously said there should be no expectation they will enforce the limits “where they are set too low”, and some householders have called 20mph limits in their area “unnecessary”.
Dr Barrow, a Liberal Democrat councillor on the Vale of White Horse District Council for the Ridgeway ward, said: “We were hoping the limit could be extended to Wantage.
“The road from Wantage is all 30mph anyway.
“We were presented with the 20mph scheme, which we were very pleased with.
“We were told we would never get one.
“About six or seven years ago we had a speeding problem here.”
Dr Barrow said he had met with a highways officer and was satisfied with the proposed positioning of the new speed limits given the close proximity of 30mph limits nearby.
He added it seemed “sensible” to ease people into lower speed limits.
