THE speed limit on part of the A40 Northern Bypass looks set to be cut from 70mph to 50mph.

The new limit would apply from the 30mph section approaching the Green Road Roundabout up to the Marston junction, Oxfordshire County Council said.

It would mean the dual carriageway national speed limit of 70mph would no longer apply.

Oxford City Council wants the change to be made on the approach to a new junction for its 900-home Barton Park development.

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And the county council’s proposals for the speed reduction are also part of controversial plans for a link road between Foxwell Drive and the A40. The link road between the A40 and Foxwell Drive, a key reason for the speed reductions, has been fiercely opposed by Northway residents.

They fear that the link road would make their neighbourhood less safe for children living in the area.

Foxwell Drive resident Doug Robinsonsaid he opposed the speed reduction because it would enable the new link road to the Barton Park estate.

He said: “I am not against the extra housing, but I don’t want to put up with extra traffic and buses coming through the area.

“The council just wants to take pressure off Green Road roundabout. People here won’t get any benefits from these proposals.”

At the moment, proposals for the link road include restrictions allowing only buses, emergency service vehicles and bicycles to use it.

But Northway residents have made a bid to derail its construction by applying for Foxwell Drive to become a Town Green, which would prevent the land from being built on.

Thames Valley Police said the speed reduction might not work because the area was not “built up” enough and drivers would not be encouraged to reduce their speeds.

The force said this could create an “expectation” of speed limit enforcement and that, if the new junction was designed for cars travelling at 50mph, it could be unsafe.

But in a report to county council cabinet member for transport David Nimmo Smith, council officers said designing the junction for 70mph limits was not “consistent with the aspirations” for Barton Park.

Highways and transport officer Mark Kemp said: “Designing the junction to operate within the national speed limit would in theory be possible.

“But this option is not deemed to be consistent with the aspirations to provide an attractive link across the ring road.

“It similarly would not result in the wider benefits seen on other parts of the ring road where a 50mph speed limit has already been introduced.

“All other signalled junctions on county dual carriageways are now subject to speed limits of 50mph or less... and have helped improve safety and reduce noise pollution.”

Mr Nimmo Smith will make a decision on the proposals on Thursday, in a meeting in County Hall.

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