People living in Bampton say they are baffled by a mixture of contradictory speed signs with some of the new 20mph signs spray painted and some seemingly missing.

The signs were installed this week by Oxfordshire County Council as part of its £8million 20mph programme.

The three-year scheme sees the council introduce 20mph speeds as the new 30mph for communities where there is local support, with the aim being to reduce congestion and air pollution and make roads safer.

In July, Witney became the first town in the county to have the speed restrictions in all residential areas approved by the county council. 

However, council bosses were forced to cover up signs as some of the new 20mph signs were put in place next to 30mph road markings.

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In one location on the Burford Road a 20mph sign was put in place for one side of the road and the other side had a 40mph sign on display. 

Baffled motorists took to social media at the time to blast the new signs by calling them a “waste of money”, “stupid” and “confusing”.

Now it seems residents in Bampton have been left scratching their heads over confusing 20mph signs too.

Cllr Ted Fenton, who represents Bampton at the District and County Council, said: "If you are entering the village from Brize Norton the 30mph sign is on display on one side of the road but the new 20mph sign on the other side has been sprayed over.

"But if you enter the village from Aston the signs are both 30mph but in the village itself there are 20mph repeater signs all over the place."

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He added: "You would think with the backlash the council got from the rollout of 20mph in Witney they would have got this right by now instead of confusing drivers with signs."

Councillor Liam Walker, who is the Conservative opposition spokesman for highways at Oxfordshire County Council, said: "In a consultation on 20mph for Bampton which was conducted by Oxfordshire County Council there were only 68 responses with 35 objections and 27 supporting in addition to five people being concerned and one having no objection or opinion.

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"Those who took part in the consultation were also asked if the 20mph speed limit proposal were implemented, would it likely influence a change to their mode of travel in the area of which 59 responded that 20mph would encourage them to walk or cycle more."

But he added: "This again highlights the coalition rushing to get 20mph schemes in place without proper planning or consideration for the local area.

"The 20mph programme is costing Oxfordshire taxpayers £8million while we have services stretched and our roads covered in potholes.

"The coalition should be getting the basics right first before splashing the cash on pet projects."

Oxfordshire County Council said it was "doing its best to minimise any confusion to motorists during the inevitable transition period" and, in this case, that one sign appeared to have been interfered with.

A spokesperson said: "Before the speed limits can be changed, all the signage must be altered – including the ‘roundels’ on the roads.

"We are continually reviewing our procedures and working with contractors to improve the situation, which is vital for a project of this scale. It is common practice within the industry to use grey spray paint to cover signs while new ones are being installed.

"As part of the works to install the new signs, once the signs are installed – but before all the signs in the area are in place – grey paint has been used to cover the sign face. This will then be removed once all signs are in place and the new speed limit is live to allow enforcement."

He added: "It would appear that at this location, and other sites on previous occasions, people have taken it upon themselves to remove this grey paint.

"We have reminded our contactor to take a photo immediately upon installation and again once the paint has been removed.

"This will provide evidence that we are following common practice and not creating confusion whilst delivering what is a key and important project."

 

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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