SPEEDS could be reduced on more than half of Oxfordshire’s roads in a drive to cut deaths and serious accidents in the county.

Transport bosses are considering imposing slower limits on many of the roads, following a one-year £20,000 review of speed limits on every A and B road in the county.

The proposals could mean 62 stretches of 34 of the county’s A and B roads are subject to speed reductions, but proposals have also been made to increase speed limits on 17 stretches of 13 roads.

The number of road deaths in Oxfordshire increased from 34 in 2007 to 42 in 2008, despite reductions in the rest of the Thames Valley and across the country.

The proposed speed reductions have been welcomed by communities and motoring organisations.

However, there has been objections to some of the speed limit increases, such as the proposed conversion of Watlington Road, in Greater Leys, from a 30mph limit to a 40mph limit south of Berry Close.

Gerry Webb, Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman, said: “I think it’s an absolutely ludicrous idea. I’m very much against it.

“If you’re using more speed you are making more noise and creating more fumes.

“People walk across the road with their dogs and children to go to the little bit of woods. We want it to stay safe.”

Corrine Grimley Evans, road safety campaigner and joint co-ordinator of the Life Begins at 20 campaign, said: “It is a backwards step. It is a bad sign to increase any speed limits.”

In south Oxfordshire, at the Crowmarsh Gifford roundabout, where the A4130 and A4074 meet, the 30mph limit could be increased to 40mph.

The limit could also be cut from 50mph to 40mph on the A4074 near Benson and the 50mph limit extended south to the junction with Benson Lane and Crowmarsh.

Three people have died in five years on the road — including 17-year-old Abigail Haythorne in November 2007 — and 22 other accidents have been recorded.

Benson county councillor Tony Crabbe said: “I have been campaigning for a reduction along the Benson stretch so I am very happy that these are being proposed.

“I would, however, have preferred to see a 30mph limit in place of the 40mph in the vicinity of Benson village.

“With regard to the Crowmarsh roundabout, I am not happy that there should be an increase in the speed limit due to the number of pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road.”

Bill Pattison, chairman of Benson Parish Council, wants the speed limit near the village reduced even further to 30mph.

“Since the bus stops have been put in we really need people to be able to cross the road safely down by Benson marina,” he said. “Between the two roundabouts, people do use it as a race track.”

In March, this year the Government announced it was considering cutting the speed limit on most single-carriageway roads in rural areas from 60mph to 50mph.

However, Andrew Howard, the AA’s head of road safety, was pleased the council was taking into account accident records and the density and nature of roadside developments when considering speed changes.

He said: “This is how it should be done. I’m sure some drivers will find it difficult to understand the cuts, but the council needs to stress the fact this has been done on a scientific basis.”

The council is currently consulting with parish council around the county on the plans and said any changes in speed limits would not be introduced until next year.

County councillor Ian Hudspeth said: “We are looking at whether the speed limits are appropriate for the area and to see if they can be altered to improve the safety of the road or junction.

“Towns and villages grow and change and areas of speeding change.

“Sometimes speed limits can increase to smooth out particular roads, but we will not go ahead without the consideration of local concern.”

cwalker@oxfordmail.co.uk