20mph scheme likely to be driven through (From Oxford Mail)

20mph scheme likely to be driven through

8:40pm Sunday 19th April 2009

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Oxford is set to become only the second city in Britain to introduce a 20mph speed limit on most of its residential roads.

Oxfordshire County Council head of transport Ian Hudspeth will decide on Thursday whether to drive ahead with the £233,000 scheme and follow a recommendation by head of transport Steve Howell.

His recommendation came after two-thirds of people backed the idea in a survey.

However, the majority of Oxford’s main routes, such as the Botley, Woodstock and Iffley roads will retain 30mph limits and only see speeds reduced in certain sections.

Road safety campaigners had been calling for a blanket 20mph zone across the entire city, however they have still welcomed the reduced proposals calling them a “bold and imaginative move”.

Paul Cullen is the founding co-ordinator of Life begins at 20, which has fought a two-year campaign for the speed limits.

He said: “Oxford is now set to become one of the pioneers on 20mph speed limits and we’re very pleased about that.

“Oxford has a reputation for being ahead of the game on innovative approaches to traffic management such as the park-and-rides.

“I think it’s something Oxford can be proud of that it’s bitten the bullet and is prepared to accept the challenges of this.”

Only 146 people responded to the council’s formal consultation on the speed limits, far less than the 574 replies it received for its informal consultation in October 2008.

In total, 69 per cent backed the proposals, however some Oxford residents who replied called the scheme a waste of money and felt it would have little impact on reducing accident rates.

Richard Bradley, co-ordinator of campaign group Life begins at 20, said: “I think it will help to save lives and it will also help to reduce the severity and number of injuries inflicted on our roads.

“We very warmly welcome these recommendations and we hope the county council will follow it through.”

In three years from January 2006 to December 2008 there were two fatal, 81 serious and 583 slight injury accidents on Oxford roads.

County head of road safety Geoff Barrell said: “Our proposal to Mr Hudspeth is for him to approve this scheme following consultation.

“If this measure cuts speed by even just a 1mph average, that will deliver a five per cent reduction in casualties – nationally accepted speed statistics prove that.

“If this saves one life or cuts injury statistics, it will have been worth it.”

Mr Cullen said: “This will give the streets of Oxford back to the people.

“It’s a bold and imaginative move.”

Drivers in Oxford will not be fined for breaking the 20mph limits as Thames Valley Police is following national guidelines not enforce 20mph zones.

North Hinksey and Botley, which had originally been included in the proposals for 20 mph speed limits, are set to be omitted as the majority of the community did not back the scheme.

In June 2007 Portsmouth became the first city to introduce 20mph limits on the majority of its residential roads.

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