A COUNCIL leader has hit out at his own authority for cutting speed limits on a key route into Banbury.

Oxfordshire County Council leader Keith Mitchell said two 30mph zones in Adderbury mean drivers are being fined because they are not aware of the new limit.

But he said he will not oppose a planned 40mph to 30mph reduction on the Twyford Road as the authority has set a “precedent” with the other two.

The council cut a 40mph limit to 30mph this year on the Banbury Road from Christopher Rawlins Primary School to near the junction with Twyford Road.

The same reduction was put in place on the Aynho Road from East End Lane to the junction with Banbury Road in 2009.

Mr Mitchell, who lives off the Aynho Road, told the council: “If the police wonder why they have lost much of the respect from their communities, you need look no further than the speed policeman who regularly crouches close to the sign at Keyte’s Close on the Aynho Road, zapping one motorist after another who is caught out on a road that just does not feel like a 30 mph limit road. “You have got this wrong in triplicate.”

The Conservative, responding as member for Bloxham, which includes Adderbury, said the roads were too “open” to warrant 30mph.

He said: “You stick lots of horrible signs up and put paint on the road and spoil a rural setting.”

But Banbury Road resident Sheila Mitchell, 69, said of the signs: “As long as it works and it does what it is supposed to then it doesn’t matter.”

Aynho Road resident James Jordan, 69, said of Mr Mitchell: “He is wrong, he shouldn’t be saying that. The road is very dangerous.”

Thames Valley Police spokesman Chris Kearney said: “Until recently, speeding was listed as one of the neighbourhood priorities for the Adderbury area.

“Thames Valley Police will always work to address the priorities of its neighbourhoods, as dictated by the residents that live within them.”