Oxfordshire advances Vision Zero strategy with rural road speed limit review

Oxfordshire County Council is continuing a major review of speed limits on rural roads across the county, with the possibility of further reductions being considered on dozens of routes.

The authority is assessing speed limits on A and B roads throughout Oxfordshire, with a number of tailored proposals expected to emerge from the review.

Gareth Epps, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “This review is all about reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

“The premise that no one should be killed or seriously injured as the result of a road collision, whatever mode of transport they are using, is at the heart of our Vision Zero strategy.

“Making sure speed limits are safe and appropriate is key to achieving this. Oxfordshire’s last major A and B road speed limit review was carried out 15 years ago, so this review is much needed.”

Work on examining speed limits and wider road safety issues has been underway since 2025. The review considers a range of factors, including collision records, road design, traffic conditions and how roads are used by different groups.

As a result of the process, some sections of road that previously carried the national speed limit have already seen reductions to either 50mph or 40mph.

The council is also looking at additional safety improvements, including changes to junction layouts and other traffic management measures. These initiatives are intended to improve safety on rural roads that are often narrow, winding and shared by motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.

According to the county council, government statistics indicate that its road safety policies have contributed to a notable reduction in the number of fatal and serious injury collisions in recent years.

Despite the progress, Mr Epps said the authority remains focused on achieving further improvements.

He said: “Every death is one too many. Indeed, it has strengthened our resolve to push on and make conditions safer on more of our rural roads.”

To date, speed limit changes have been approved on sections of the A4074, A40, A420 and A417, along with parts of the A4260 corridor and connected B roads.

A public consultation covering proposed changes on the A361 has also concluded, with councillors expected to decide in July whether those proposals should move forward.

Looking ahead, around 60 additional schemes are scheduled to be brought forward during 2026-27 as part of Oxfordshire’s Vision Zero programme.

Engagement with key stakeholders, including parish and town councils, Thames Valley Police and local bus operators, is due to begin later this month. Formal statutory consultations will then follow, giving residents and road users an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposals.

Mr Epps added: “It is important for people to realise that the review is not about introducing blanket changes across the county.

“This is a bespoke approach. Proposals are assessed case by case, consulted on publicly, and monitored once implemented to ensure they are effective.

“The review is a data-led reassessment of safety and speed on Oxfordshire’s main rural routes.

“Officers are using current Department for Transport criteria on speed limits to guide the changes to be considered.”