Village opposes speed limit cut

5:53pm Monday 21st April 2008

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The introduction of a lower speed limit at an accident blackspot has come under attack from community campaigners, who claim it will put schoolchildren's lives at risk.

Villagers in South Moreton have objected to a three-year pilot scheme, coming into force on May 5, to reduce the speed limit on part of the A4130 between Didcot and Wallingford from 50mph to 40mph.

Two deaths, two serious accidents and 24 injuries have been recorded on the stretch of road in the past five years.

The road has double the national accident rate for its class.

On Christmas Day 2006, Shane Vaughan, 19, of Kirby Close, South Moreton, was killed 800 metres east of the South Moreton turn.

The parish council said the new limit would add to the number of motorists using the village as a rat-run, passing South Moreton Primary School and increasing the risk of accidents.

Keith Eaton is chairman of the parish council and headteacher of the school.

He said: "It's a concern of the parish council and people in the village as well as the school. A lot of people use it as a short cut.

"The feeling among the parish is the speed limit will make it worse. With the reduction to 40mph, a lot people feel they will use the route through South Moreton because it will be quicker and faster.

"There will be more traffic coming past the school at busy and dangerous times."

The council fears more motorists travelling over the Fulscot Bridge could lead to a disaster similar to the Selby rail crash, claiming any vehicle could easily swerve off the bridge on to the high-speed line below.

Geoff Barrell, head of road safety at Oxfordshire County Council, said: "We do not believe a slightly slower limit will cause drivers to detour off the A4130.

"If traffic flows were to increase through South Moreton for any reason, we would reconsider the scheme."

County and district councillor Patrick Greene said: "I'm pleased with the pilot scheme for a 40mph limit on the stretch between Tesco and Long Wittenham crossroads, which is part of a package of safety measures on the A4130.

"It was the county council's decision."