Council decision on controversial 20mph zone deferred

Oxfordshire County Council said the lower limit would improve road safety

A decision on rolling out 20mph speed limits for most of a town has been deferred after opposition.

Oxfordshire County Council was due to implement the lower speed limit for the majority of roads in Banbury.

In a consultation 427 people objected to the plans, and a further 78 expressed concerns, out of a total of 649 responses.

Banbury MP Victoria Prentis, county councillor Kieron Mallon and Banbury Town Council also objected.

Supporters who spoke at the meeting said the lower speed limit would improve safety and reduce road deaths.

Some Banbury residents feared the new speed limit could cause traffic congestion

The council has been rolling out 20mph zones after passing a policy in October 2021 that the limit should replace 30mph where there is local support.

Cabinet member Andrew Gant decided to defer the decision regarding Banbury, after raising concerns that the plans did not have the support of all elected members in the area.

He said: "To those elected members, I would say - work with our officers - let's bring this back as soon as we can to get the right outcome for Banbury."

In a letter to Mr Gant before the deferral, Ms Prentis had argued the proposals "should not be rushed through simply for convenience".

Other 20mph zones in Sutton Courtenay, Woodstock and Radley were approved.

A 20mph zone was also approved for Nethercote in Banbury, which will reduce the limit from a current restriction of 60mph.

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