Ring road to get 50mph limit after consultation

A ring road will see reduced 50mph speed limits following a public consultation, where the majority of residents approved the move.

The speed limit will be rolled out in Oxfordshire on the A423 Southern bypass, Eastern bypass, the southern bypass westbound slip road, and Old Abingdon Road, near New Hinksey and Rose Hill.

A 30mph speed limits will be introduced on parts of Old Abingdon Road, Kennington Road and the A423 southern bypass westbound slip road.

People supporting the plans said that would make the roads "safer" while others who objected said speeds were "already incredibly low at peak times" because of the Oxford temporary congestion charge and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) .

In the public consultation, 71% supported the introduction of 50mph speed limits, while 22% objected.

The 30mph speed limits received support by 74% and objections by 16% of the respondents, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Head of highways at Oxfordshire County Council Andrew Gant approved the decision at a meeting on 11 December.

The roads set for 30mph limits were initially set at the national speed limit - 70mph for dual carriageways and 60mph for single carriageways.

The proposals were put forward to support the wider A423 improvement works in Kennington, which include replacing the existing rail bridge.

The scheme would also include a shared path for walking and cycling, a new eastbound bus lane and increased capacity of the Hinksey streams to help reduce flooding.

The planning application was approved in October 2024 and the county council has asked the government to help fund the bridge and close a £71m funding gap.

The council said it would improve safety on the stretches of road.

A member of the public who supported the changes said: "I often drive on the bypass and think lower speed limits would be safer. I'm concerned by unsafe driving at high speed within current limits."

Lib Dem councillor Diana Lugova, who represents Kennington & Radley and South Hinksey Parish Council, also expressed support.

But one of the residents who objected to the plans said: "You've pushed more and more traffic onto these roads with the imposition of congestion charging and LTNs, meaning speeds are already incredibly low at peak times.

"Imposing lower limits will only limit traffic flow at other times, surely it's better to let the traffic get away from the congested areas?"

Oxfordshire Liveable Streets community group said they supported the changes, but urged for the eastern 200m of the proposed speed limit should be reduced to 40mph to reduce noise pollution in Rose Hill, and that the 30mph stretch should be reduced to 20mph.

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.