Oxfordshire Police to Enforce 20mph Zones Amidst Prior Doubts

Law enforcement will implement the recently established 20mph speed restrictions across Oxfordshire, a development that follows earlier indications suggesting a lack of resources for such enforcement. Thames Valley Police had previously raised concerns regarding the enforceability of the county council’s £8 million initiative during the consultation phase for these proposals. However, Andrew Gant, the council’s highways chief, informed BBC Radio Oxford that this stance has since been revised. Matthew Barber, the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), stated that the force’s previous remarks were based on “technical grounds”. Mr. Gant noted that police had “started out by objecting and essentially saying that it was a matter for the county council and wouldn’t be enforced – that has changed”. Previously, Thames Valley Police had communicated to the council that there should be “no expectation [they] would be able to provide regular enforcement if a speed limit is set too low”. Nevertheless, Mr. Barber asserted that it had “always been the case” that officers would enforce the new speed restrictions. He emphasized, “What’s really important is we focus on saving lives on our roads – any death on our roads in our area is is one too many.” Since its inception in 2022, the council has sanctioned over 200 applications to lower speed limits to 20mph within various towns and villages. Mr. Barber additionally highlighted that the £8 million plan did not allocate funds for police enforcement of these measures. He explained, “Much of the police resource will inevitably be focused on those areas that are most dangerous where… enforcement can save the most lives – and that does tend to be our faster roads and dangerous junctions.” He further clarified, “That doesn’t mean that the police won’t and can’t enforce in those (20mph) areas.” Mr. Gant also commented that the administration of the new limits centers on “behaviour change.” He stated, “It’s about getting used to the new normal over time, and that does happen.” These statements coincide with the impending designation of a significant portion of Banbury, the county’s second-largest town, as a 20mph zone.