More money spent on 20mph zones in Banbury than anywhere else in county
11/08/2025
Almost twice as much has been spent on the scheme here than in Abingdon
by Esme Kenney, Local Democracy Reporter
Banbury has had the highest amount of money spent on 20mph speed limits in different towns and villages across Oxfordshire, new figures show.
The rollout of 20mph speed limits began in 2022 after Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet approved funding for the scheme.
The limits can only be introduced if it has support from both the local parish or town council and the local county councillor.
So far it has been introduced in more than 250 towns and villages across the county with more speed limits set to be introduced in other areas.
Banbury had by far the largest amount spent on 20mph speed limits, with installation costs totalling £89,347.
Abingdon, Cumnor and Didcot have also seen high spends on 20mph, with each area getting £46,653, £32,975, and £30,783 respectively.
A separate scheme to introduce 20mph speed limits on Oxford’s roads has been put on hold until Botley Road reopens.
No money has been spent in Bicester yet, but plans to extend 20mph to most residential roads in the town were passed in March this year.
Some areas such as Grove and Begbroke are not taking part in the scheme.
The original budget for the scheme was £8m, but this was reduced to £4.2m within the first few years.
Almost £2.5m has been spent on the scheme since 2022, a recent Freedom of Information request has shown.
A county council spokesperson said one factor in the reduced costs was the use of existing poles, and that the council expected that the total cost of the scheme would come in under budget.
A further £425,000 is set to be spent at the end of the 2025/26 financial year.
The total spend on speed limits in different towns and villages amounts to £1.95m which includes the costs of installing the traffic signs and in some cases road markings.
The remaining spend comes from staff costs and consultations which cannot be accurately reported for individual schemes.
Speed cameras and traffic calming measures such as road humps are not included in the council’s spend, so parish or town councils will have to fund this themselves if they want them.
Thames Valley Police is responsible for enforcing speed limits and handing out fines, but the county council say they are willing to work with the police in areas where limits are being broken.
The main implementation phase of the project will conclude at the end of the 2025/26 financial year.
The council will review the impact of the scheme and seek views from local councils to decide how to progress the project further.
The top 10 highest places for amount of money spent on 20mph across Oxfordshire are:
- Banbury – £89,346
- Abingdon – £46,653
- Cumnor – £32,975
- Didcot – £30,783
- Thame – £23,587
- Adderbury – £23,006
- Kidlington – £22,404
- Kidmore End – £21,777
- Woodcote – £21,444
- Cholsey – £21,052
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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