Oxfordshire approves £8 million to support 20mph roads

Since the council approved its 20mph policy in October 2021, 70 communities have applied for schemes, which are now being delivered within Oxford, its towns and its rural villages

Communities that want to reduce the speed of their roads from 30mph to 20mph will find it easier after an £8 million budget was agreed to accelerate the process across Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire County Council's 2022/23 budget includes funding for a three-year programme to support the implementation of 

across Oxfordshire. The money will pay for sign-only measures and the intention is to encourage more walking and cycling and create safer and more pleasant places for communities.

Applications for 20mph streets and roads need to be supported by the parish or town council and by the relevant local county councillor. More information is available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

Oxfordshire County Council has already been developing 20mph pilot sites to test the impact of the policy on neighbourhoods. Roads in Cuxham, Long Wittenham and Wallingford Central have been cut to 20mph, while similar pilot schemes are planned for Wallingford North and Kirtlington. Data from the sites will start being analysed in the coming weeks.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “I'm delighted that my fellow council members have voted through a truly exciting and ambitious budget that recognises that travel and transport plans are fundamental to reducing our carbon emissions in Oxfordshire. Our policies can also make our towns, villages safer, happier, and less polluted place to live.

“To encourage cycling and walking we are investing £8m in a programme to make 20mph the new normal in residential areas across Oxfordshire.

"We are also putting aside £6m to support our bid to government with the bus companies for electric buses. We recognise that if people are to willingly leave their cars at home, we must provide exceptional alternative forms of transport. Under this alliance no-one will be left behind as we move towards a more sustainable people-centric transport network.”