Approval to make 'majority' of town's roads 20mph

A "compromise" 20mph scheme has been agreed for Banbury after objections.

Proposals to make the "great majority" of Banbury's roads 20mph have been approved after a review.

Four routes were excluded from having the new speed limit introduced following objections.

Andrew Gant, who is the councillor in charge of highways at Oxfordshire County Council, described it as a "compromise".

Local Conservative councillor Kieron Mallon, who objected to the original scheme, said despite the changes he still did not support "large 20mph zones", including the revised Banbury scheme.

Mr Mallon has previously raised concerns about the efficiency of public transport through 20mph zones.

But others backed the introduction of the speed limit throughout Banbury and were critical of the decision to remove some roads from the scheme.

Paul Bonsor, from Banbury Active Travel Supporters, said: "We would like to make life easier for drivers by giving them a clear message that once you enter Banbury you need to drop your speed to 20mph or below.

"Keeping the 30mph limit for 100m here, 200m there, is going to be very confusing.

"It's going to cost more to install with extra signage and it's only going to save a matter of seconds on people's journeys."

A map produced by Oxfordshire County Council shows that new 20mph limits - in blue - will be introduced in much of Banbury

The four routes excluded from the 20mph scheme are:

• The A361 North Bar Street, Horsefair and South Bar Street between the junctions with the B4100 Warwick Road and A361 Bloxham Road

• The A4260 Upper Windsor Street, Windsor Street and Cherwell Street between their junctions with Swan Close Road and Bridge Street

• Castle Street and Cherwell Drive between their junctions with the A361 North Bar Street and the A4260 Concorde Avenue

• Hightown Road and Swan Close Road between their junctions with Bankside and the A4260 Upper Windsor Street

At the same meeting on Thursday, new 20mph schemes for parts of Thame and Wallingford were also approved.