A review of speed limits on all of Oxfordshire’s rural A and B roads could lead to dozens of routes being made safer in the next 12 months.
Since 2025, Oxfordshire County Council has been reviewing speed limits and safety on its network as part of its Vision Zero programme to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on the network.
The review looks at whether existing speed limits are appropriate, using evidence such as collision data, road layout and how routes are used.
This has led to speed limit reductions on some stretches of road, including lowering national speed limit sections to 50mph or 40mph, alongside other measures such as junction changes or traffic management where risks have been identified.
The aim is to make rural roads safer for all users, recognising that many routes are narrow, winding and shared by drivers, cyclists, walkers, and horse riders.
Provisional government statistics published in late May suggest that the council’s approach is helping lead to significant improvements in road safety, with serious and fatal collisions in Oxfordshire falling sharply.
Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County 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.
“While it was heartening to see that Oxfordshire is seeing significant improvements in road safety, according to recent provisional government data, we are far from complacent. 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.”
So far, the review has led to changes being approved on stretches of the A4074, A40, A420 and A417, as well as corridors such as the A4260 and associated B roads. Additionally, a consultation on changes on the A361 has been completed with a decision to be taken in July on whether to progress these.
Now around 60 more schemes are coming forward in 2026-27 as part of the Vision Zero programme.
(Picture: Oxfordshire County Council)
