A 15-year campaign for speed limits along an accident-prone road has ended in victory, but traffic experts have warned that drivers are likely to ignore the new restrictions.

Oxfordshire County Council has agreed, subject to public consultation, to introduce speed limits and traffic lights in Bicester Road, which runs through Gosford and Water Eaton, near Kidlington.

The lights and pedestrian-controlled crossing, together with a 30mph limit, will be imposed at the junction by the Kings Arms pub in the summer.

Speed limits will also be cut from 60mph to 40mph between the village and the Sainsbury's roundabout, at the junction with Oxford Road.

It is hoped the changes will prevent accidents and divert rat run drivers, travelling to Oxford from the north, from using the village.

There have been 17 serious accidents near the Kings Arms junction in the past five years, including a death in 1997 when a pedestrian was knocked down by a car.

Carl Smith, clerk of Gosford and Water Eaton Parish Council, welcomed the news.

He said: "We have been pushing for this since I became clerk here 15 years ago, it's long overdue.

"There has always been a high accident rate there and when you consider the number of school children and pedestrians who use that junction it's just common sense."

The parish finally got its way following the decision to build a new park-and-ride near the grain silo site, south of Kidlington.

But county council officers believe the 40mph restrictions are likely to be ignored by drivers.

Geoff Barrell, principal engineer at the county council, said: "We are putting it in because the parish want it but it is not as easy as that to stop people speeding.

"I would advise against it because drivers are likely to speed up and ignore the signs when the 30mph limit ends.

"Police have made it clear to us that they have no extra money for enforcement there."

Mr Smith said the 40mph limit was a worthwhile exercise despite Mr Barrell's warning.