Oxfordshire pledges £8m for 20mph communities

Communities across Oxfordshire that want to reduce the speed of their roads from 30mph to 20mph will find it easier after an £8 million budget was agreed to accelerate the process.

Oxfordshire County Council has approved its 2022/23 budget, which included funding for a three-year programme to support the implementation of 20mph roads across Oxfordshire. The investment will pay for sign-only measures and the intention is to encourage more walking and cycling and create safer and more pleasant places for communities.

Since the council approved the new 20mph policy in October 2021, 70 communities have applied to be included in the scheme. The scheme is free to town and parish councils, with the county council funding sign-only changes for areas wishing to be part of the changes as long as locations meet the agreed criteria for 20mph restrictions.

Tim Bearder, cabinet member for Highways Management, said: “I'm delighted that my fellow council members have voted through a truly exciting and ambitious budget that recognises that travel and transport plans are fundamental to reducing our carbon emissions in Oxfordshire. Our policies can also make our towns, villages safer, happier, and less polluted place to live.

“To encourage cycling and walking we are investing £8 million in a programme to make 20mph the new normal in residential areas across Oxfordshire. We are also putting aside £6 million to support our bid to government with the bus companies for electric buses. We recognise that if people are to willingly leave their cars at home, we must provide exceptional alternative forms of transport. Under this alliance no-one will be left behind as we move towards a more sustainable people-centric transport network.”