ADDITIONAL roads in Didcot could see the speed limit reduced to 20mph following a proposal by the town council.

It has been proposed by councillors to extend the 20mph speed limit throughout the Ladygrove ward, excluding the A4130, as well as other areas in the town.

Councillor David Rouane, who covers the North East Didcot ward, and councillor Phil Davies, who covers the Ladygrove ward, proposed the town council write to Oxfordshire County Council, the highways authority, asking it to consider introducing the limit.

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Speaking at a meeting, Mr Rouane said the motion was originally for Ladygrove only but it was the Traffic Advisory Group who requested that this be extended to the whole of Didcot.

He said that the highways authority would not be able to work on this proposal until 2024 or 2025 due to the high workload.

However, a member of the public spoke against the plans and questioned whether any wider research has been done before suggesting the council speak to the highways authority.

Speaking at a meeting, Cath Convery said: “Has any modelling been done on the effect this would have on Didcot roads?

“It could impact to other road users including buses, cars, emergency vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

“Would this also impact on local pollution with vehicles moving at a slower speed? Also where would the money would come to enforce this scheme?”

Five councillors voted in favour of writing to the highways authority to ask for the new limit but 13 in total voting against.

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Councillor Anthony Dearlove, who covers the All Saints Ward, suggested the public should be consulted with an advisory referendum before getting in contact with the county council.

He suggested a referendum could be conducted at the same time as the local election in May and councillor James Durman agreed. 

Leader of the council, Mocky Khan, proposed a second motion instead which includes asking the county council to carry out a consultation and feasibility study on 20mph to all areas of Didcot and report back to the town council.

However Mr Dearlove said he would not support a consultation rather than a referendum and councillor Bill Service there was no consultation with the residents of Ladygrove before submitting a request for the existing 20mph speed limit in Ladygrove ward.

The motion passed with 13 councillors in favour and four against.

Mr Rouane said: “This was the first step in a long procedure and all issues will be considered in depth.”

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In February this year, the county council approved a budget of £8 million to reduce speed limits across Oxfordshire.

Roads in Cuxham, Long Wittenham and Wallingford Central have already been cut to 20mph.

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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