A CONSULTATION has been launched on controversial plans to lower the speed limit along part of Oxford’s ring road.

Oxford City Council wants to lower the limit on the A40 to 50mph as part of its 900-home Barton Park development.

Its plans for the dual carriageway – where cars can currently travel at 70mph – have been controversial and were watered down after an inquiry.

It could mean that the speed limit along the A40 will be lowered to 50mph between the Green Road roundabout for 2.08kilometres (1.3 miles) on the westbound carriageway and 2.43km (1.5 miles) on the eastbound carriageway.

Our top stories

Restrictions on U-turns will also be introduced at the new junction where drivers will be able to enter and exit the Barton Park development.

The city council had originally hoped to lower the speed limit to 40mph and have homes facing on to it to create a “boulevard”. But highways authority Oxfordshire County Council and Thames Valley Police criticised the proposals and they were changed when a Government inspector agreed with their views. This has now led to the consultation on the new proposed 50mph limit.

Thames Valley Police spokesman James Williams confirmed the force has been contacted about the plan.

He said: “These proposals are part of the A40 Barton Park Development, which will result in a major new signalised junction being built on the A40 northern bypass.

“The force will be responding to this consultation on behalf of the Chief Officer of Thames Valley Police before the closing date.”

Headington resident Nick Fell is part of a group that is objecting to the junction between Northway and Barton Park, and said the lower speed limit would not make the plans any safer.

He said: “I don’t agree with it whatsoever. It is not going to make one iota of difference to the traffic density or to the noise levels.

“It is not going to make the junction any safer.

“The A40 is a trunk road and it is one of the main links between us and the West Country.

“Time is money and lowering the speed limit will affect businesses.”

County council spokesman Owen Morton said: “The council is proposing a limit of 50mph at this location, as this would represent a sufficient reduction to accommodate a new junction to serve the Barton West development while remaining an appropriate speed limit for this strategic route.”

Comments on plans to lower the speed limit along the A40 can be submitted to the county council’s director for environment and economy at Speedwell House in Oxford by October 10.

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.