PLANS to reduce the speed from 30 to 20mph on roads in more towns and villages will be decided by Oxfordshire County Council next week.

The plans will be discussed by the council's cabinet at a meeting on Tuesday.

Four pilot schemes are planned for Long Wittenham, near Didcot; Kirtlington near Bicester; and Wallingford following consultations.

If the proposals are approved, a countywide survey of parish councils will be carried out to understand the potential level of interest.

The move follows the introduction of 20mph limits in Cuxham, near Watlington.

Although the council will be working alongside Thames Valley Police, it hopes drivers adhere to the new limits through a change of mindset, rather than enforcement.

According to Tim Bearder, the council's cabinet member for highways maintenance: "This is a hugely ambitious vision for Oxfordshire.

He said the shift was needed to persuade people to make cycling and walking the natural first choice and reduce the dominance of vehicles in towns and villages.

Mr Bearder added: “I firmly believe this is an important step on the road to improving health and wellbeing. Combined with other measures it can create healthy, dynamic community spaces.

“We want the streets where people live, work, play and shop to benefit from this policy change with the aim to make Oxfordshire’s roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.”