City's 20mph zones delayed until major road reopens

Plans to introduce new 20mph speed limits in Oxford have been put on hold until a major road reopens.

Oxfordshire County Council said a review of the scheme would take place after assessing the impact of upcoming traffic filters, which will fine drivers £70 for using selected city centre roads.

However, the trial has been delayed due to the ongoing closure of Botley Road, which has been shut since April 2023 as part of Network Rail's revamp of Oxford Railway Station.

The 20mph rollout, replacing 30mph limits where supported by local councils, was backed by an £8m budget approved in February 2022.

The scheme was originally due to be completed by the end of the 2024/25 financial year, but a review of Oxford's roads has yet to take place.

Ahead of Tuesday's full council meeting, Labour councillor Brad Baines submitted a written question to Liberal Democrat transport cabinet member Andrew Gant, asking why Oxford still did not have "a comprehensive 20mph network".

Gant replied: "[The] traffic filters will be a trial scheme with various uncertainties, so we don't know exactly what its impact will be.

"We want to understand the impact of this and other schemes before assessing the need and implementing further 20mph limits in Oxford."

And he told councillors at the meeting: "The short answer is Botley Road. It's on the list of the 20mph scheme and has been deliberately deferred until the Botley Road finishes."

Bicester, parts of Banbury and Carterton are also awaiting a review of 20mph speed limits.

The programme is part of the council's vision zero scheme that aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on roads.

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