Scores of new 20 and 30mph zones across the county “could increase frustration and undermine respect for speed limits generally,” a police traffic officer has warned.
Yesterday, new limits across Oxfordshire came into effect after decisions were approved by its cabinet chief, Andrew Gant, at a meeting on Thursday, April 23.
These include 20mph zones in the areas of Old Road in Forest Hill, near Headington, Brightwell Baldwin, near Watlington, and south of Green Lane in Chesterton.
This would represent a major reduction for some roads, previously subject to the 60mph national speed limit.
The A4130 to the Milton Interchange at the A34 and the B4017 Steventon Hill will also see reductions from 40mph to 30mph in a move which prompted concern from police.
Responding to a consultation, Thames Valley Police (TVP) said that installing just road signs for the new speed limit is “unlikely” to achieve compliance from motorists who have been driving at 40mph for years.
A file image of a speed camera (Image: Newsquest)
A spokesperson from a Thames Valley Police traffic management officer said: “Thames Valley Police note that if a speed limit is perceived as unrealistically low and widely ignored, it can reduce overall safety, undermine respect for speed limits, and disproportionately criminalise drivers.
“They also emphasise that police enforcement resources are limited and that there should be no expectation of routine enforcement where limits are set without supportive road design measures.
“Furthermore, there is extensive concern from other residents about the proposed reduction to 30mph, with many respondents also considering it excessively low for the character and function of the A4130 and Steventon Hill.
“Concerns include the rural or non‑residential nature of the road, the absence of frontage development, and the historic operation of the route at higher speeds.
“Some have highlighted that 40mph has historically worked well and that lowering limits will unnecessarily slow traffic, increase frustration and undermine respect for speed limits generally.”
The officer explained that TVP “has no policy to enforce based on arbitrary speed limits alone but will enforce based on threat of harm, risk and resourcing”.
“There should be no expectation that the police would be able to provide regular enforcement if a speed limit is set too low as this could result in an unreasonable additional demand on police resources and there are no additional resources available to support extra enforcement,” the officer added.
The county council said these comments were not the police objecting, but now, those fears have been echoed for the 20mph extensions.
Oxford city councillor for Cowley, David Henwood.
Councillor David Henwood for Rose Hill and Littlemore (Oxfordshire Alliance) warned “excessive use of 20mph zones” may “undermine their own purpose”.
He said: “When limits are introduced in areas where they are seen as unrealistic or unenforceable, they risk becoming treated as advisory rather than mandatory.
“This creates confusion for both motorists and pedestrians, blurring expectations around road safety and potentially making roads less safe rather than more so.
“I share Thames Valley Police’s concern that speed limits must be realistic and enforceable.
“If limits are introduced without proper road design, signage, or public understanding, compliance can fall and behaviour may not improve – in some cases it may even worsen.
“However, this should not be used as an argument against safer limits where they are genuinely needed.”
He added that where accident data supports decreasing limits, this is “absolutely the right decision”.
Mr Henwood added: “Ultimately, this should not be treated as a political issue, but a public safety one.
“We need speed limits that are sensible, enforceable, and genuinely effective in protecting lives.”
Resident Danny Yee, who represents the Oxfordshire Livable Streets, had commented on the Forest Hill change, saying “amusingly, the police still think roads should only be changed to 20mph when people are already driving at that speed,” adding that the group “obviously” supports the change.
Another group that backs the extensions is CoHSAT (Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel).
Robin Tucker, co-chair CoHASAT (Image: Robin Tucker)
Co-chair Robin Tucker described safety benefits and consultation support for the measures.
He said: “We have observed a pattern of strong local support, but objections from a small minority of people who are more interested in driving through a place as quickly as possible than in the danger they create.”
Mr Tucker added: “Consultations are not referendums, but the text of the responses supports why these roads should be made safer, and no good reasons were set out to keep more dangerous speed limits.”
Motorists, stakeholders and residents across the county have criticised the measures.
Cllr Liam Walker (Image: Liam Walker)
Councillor Liam Walker for Hanborough & Hailey (Oxfordshire Alliance) stated: “While improving road safety is vital, the expansion of 20mph limits across Oxfordshire risks going too far, too quickly. These schemes have been hugely expensive, yet many villages are still reporting speeding issues, raising real doubts about their effectiveness.
“The Liberal Democrats were warned that simply changing road signs wouldn’t be enough to change driver behaviour, but that advice has been ignored. We need a more balanced, evidence-led approach that actually delivers results.”
One driver, Kirk Hadland, said: “When are we the people going to say ‘enough is enough?’ We must stop these dystopian control measures being pushed on our way of life.”
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Another comment from Sophia Khan, suggested the council is “using the speed limit as an excuse to later on bring in cameras to fine anyone going over the 20mph limit”.
And a further comment from resident David Stone said: “We pay road tax. We pay high insurance. We pay high parking charges. We have potholes which damage and slow down vehicles.
“Petrol prices are going up. We get punished for having a car. We are told to get out and walk because a bicycle is allowed to travel faster.”
The county council shared statements on its reasoning for bringing in the schemes across Oxfordshire.
On the A4130 and B4017 reductions to 30mph it described how its plans, which also include a bus lane and ‘u-turn’ restrictions, aim to “provide improved bus journey time savings and reliability, enhanced walking and cycling facilities, and support the growth in both housing and employment in the Science Vale area”.
For the 20 mph limits, it said “safety reasons” including casualty reductions, making “built environments safer and more attractive places to walk and cycle”, and improving experiences on the county’s streets were key to decisions.
For the Chesterton limit, the council said that new residential development with the construction of a new junction was the cause.