Amended 20mph scheme for Banbury following meeting with town councillors

Most residential roads will become 20mph, but key routes will remain at 30mph

New speed limits of 20mph look set to be introduced on the majority of roads in Banbury, but the case brought by local councillors to retain 30mph limits on key town centre routes has been accepted.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Councillor Andrew Gant, will next week consider a revised scheme for Banbury.   This retains the existing 30mph limits on the Oxford Road, Bloxham Road and Southam Road, along with North Bar Street, Horsefair and South Bar Street.   The A4260 Inner Relief Road will also remain at 40mph, dropping to 30mph at the traffic lights by Morrisons.

In January Councillor Gant deferred a decision on the scheme so council officers could address points made by Banbury Town Councillors.   He said: “It is a key part of this policy that it proceeds with the active support … of local members and the town council.   We don’t have that and that’s a concern.”

Banbury Town Councillor Kieron Mallon had addressed the meeting, telling Councillor Gant: “Banbury has no ring road.   All traffic has to go through the centre of the town…   Its built on a ‘hub and spoke’ system with a road network that centres onto Banbury Cross. 

“If this is approved, as it is today, it will lead to massive traffic congestion and poorer air quality.”

A report by council officers noted 653 responses to a consultation with 427 of them objections, 78 expressions of concern and 148 in favour.

Since January council officers have met with two Banbury Town councillors and judged the meeting productive, resulting in the latest version of the proposals.   This will see 20mph limits implemented on the vast majority of residential roads, but excluding main town centre routes.

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Published: 29/08/2024 11:00am by Banbury FM Newsteam

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