A portion of highway where vehicles currently travel at 60mph could be transformed into a 20mph zone under plans due to be reviewed by Oxfordshire County Council.

The existing 20mph zone on Old Road in Headington was introduced in July 2023 after pressure from the local county councillor.

Transport officers have fielded requests to reduce the speed limit on the section running from the orbital road area to Forest Hill. The country road would witness speeds slashed from the standard 60mph to 20mph starting just past The Ridings junction through to the Shotover Hill car park, covering roughly half a mile.

Oxfordshire County Council’s active travel champion Emily Kerr has encouraged transport lead Andrew Gant to support the speed limit change, highlighting advantages for pedestrians, cyclists, and equestrians.

She expressed strong support for implementing 20mph in an area she frequently uses with her children when traveling to Shotover by bike or on foot, similar to how many other residents use it.

The county council held a public consultation on the suggested speed reduction earlier this year, gathering eight expressions of support alongside one protest.

The objector, a resident of Green Lane in Uffington near Faringdon, argued that the road’s characteristics naturally signal to drivers that reduced speeds are suitable, eliminating the need for additional expenditure.

The objector further contended that this proposal conflicts with council guidelines for implementing 20mph limits, which mandate that current speed limits must not exceed 40mph.

Paul Fermer, the highways chief, explained that while the standard 20mph implementation guidelines typically restrict such limits to roads with existing 40mph or lower speeds, specific site conditions can warrant exceptions to this approach.

In recent years, Oxfordshire County Council has introduced 20mph zones across many roads, including former 30mph main routes through large towns.

In February 2022, cabinet members approved allocating up to £8 million for delivering 20mph schemes in collaboration with town and parish councils across the county.

The council noted that roads with 20mph designations create enhanced safety and appeal for pedestrians and cyclists.

The council further emphasized that reduced speed limits contribute to fewer road collisions and increased overall safety.

Transport management cabinet member Mr Gant will deliver the conclusive ruling on dropping Old Road’s speed limit from 60mph to 20mph at the meeting set for Thursday, April 23.