SERIOUS accidents between cars and cyclists are now “inevitable” after 20mph speed limits were imposed across Oxford, a driving instructor has claimed.

Richard Clapham, of Access Driving in Botley, Oxford, last night said he had seen the number of near misses soar since the new restrictions came into force on September 1.

He now keeps a daily diary to catalogue the problems he insists motorists are having to deal with.

Mr Clapham, a driving instructor in Oxford for 24 years, said: “Apart from the Cowley Road 20mph zone, I have never had so many incidents or near misses in such a short space of time.

“The new limits have set us in direct conflict with cyclists and other moving traffic. We not only have to watch out for cyclists doing their acrobatics on the road, regardless of other road users, but also have to continually refer to our speedos and the constantly changing road signs.

“Where is the safety in that? And who is paying for all this, at a time of severe money shortage?

“A serious accident seems inevitable if things carry on the way they are.“ Speed limits in almost all residential roads and some sections of the city’s arterial routes were lowered under the £300,000 Oxfordshire County Council scheme to improve road safety.

An Oxford Mail investigation on the first day of the 20mph limits revealed 90 out of 105 vehicles in Morrell Avenue were clocked exceeding the new speed limit – including two black cabs, three other taxis and four Oxford Bus Company No. 15 buses.

Mr Clapham added: “The vast majority of drivers obey the limits in addition to driving to the conditions of the road.

“These fixed, artificially low limits take away people’s common sense attitude to driving. They think ‘It’s 20mph so therefore I must be safe.’ As everybody knows, sometimes five mph is too fast. You should drive accordingly.

“The people who disregard the 30mph limits will be the same ones who will ignore the 20mph areas and will continue sounding their horns, flashing their lights and tailgating anyone not breaking the limit.”

However, Oxford cycling campaign group, Cyclox, rejected Mr Clapham’s claims. Spokesman James Styring doubted the accuracy of some of Mr Clapham’s claims.

He said: “It is ridiculous to suggest bikes are overtaking cars. They are only capable of about 12mph on average.

“I certainly haven’t noticed the roads being more dangerous since the new limits have come in. If anything, many parts of the city are now more peaceful and are safer for both cyclists and pedestrians.”

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Paul Smith said: “It is widely acknowledged across the UK and the world that a one mph reduction in speed delivers a five per cent reduction in accidents.

“Safety would therefore be increased not decreased.”

dhearn@oxfordmail.co.uk