Speed limit in 18 Oxfordshire towns and villages set for 20mph

The council said it is hoped the reduction in residential areas will make the 18 towns and villages safer, quieter and less polluted

A 20mph speed is being introduced in 18 towns and villages across Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire County Council said the lower limit would create safer, healthier and quieter streets and encourage people to walk or cycle.

Changing the speed limit signs in the towns and villages will be funded by the county council.

The authority said plans have been approved or were being worked on to eventually bring in 20mph limits in 234 of the 310 parishes in Oxfordshire.

Cabinet member for transport management, councillor Andrew Gant who approved the 18 applications said: "This is another landmark moment for our 20mph policy.

"We believe these changes will make these towns and villages safer, quieter and less polluted places and will encourage more people to cycle and walk - reducing the county's carbon footprint."

The areas where the 20mph limit has been approved are: Thame and Wallingford, Alvescot, Ardington & Lockinge, Backthorn, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Buckland, Toot Baldon & Marsh Baldon, Dorchester, Elsfield, Charney Bassett, Kingham, Longworth, Sandford St Martin, Upton, Stanton Harcourt, Yarnton, and the Green Lane area of Ewelme.

Other towns with 20mph limits already in place include Witney and Abingdon.

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