20 mph limit approved “in the best interests of the people of Banbury”

Oxfordshire’s Highways Chief explained how he came to his decision

A 20 mile-per-hour speed limit through the centre of Banbury has been approved.

The lower limit will be implemented on the Southam Road from Cooper’s Gate (north of St Mary’s School) as far as Old Parr Road, shortly before the Horton General Hospital.

Labour County Councillors Isabel Creed and Mark Cherry were in favour of the change and hope other safety improvements will also be implemented, following a fatal accident close to St Mary’s Church in 2023.

But Conservative County Councillor Kieron Mallon felt reducing the speed limit alone would do little to aid pedestrians and noted other initiatives which should be considered.

Over 80 percent of those responding to a consultation on the change were against the idea, but the officers report to the decision make, Councillor Andrew Gant, focused on why they felt some of these issues were irrelevant.

Ahead of approving the scheme Liberal Democrat Councillor Gant addressed how he formed his decision in the face of the large number of consultation responses against the proposal.

He said: “The responsibility of the decision maker is to read responses and to test them against policy and against the evidence.

“To over simplify the case, what you’ve got here is support for this from two of the three local councillors and from others, and a recommendation from a coroner.   Then you’ve got 84 percent of people taking the opposite view through the consultation.

“That is the challenge that faces me as a decision maker. Whose judgment do I go with and what is in the best interests of the people of Banbury.”

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Published: 14/11/2025 01:08pm by the Banbury FM News Team

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