Meeting backs bid for 20mph limit

6:27pm Friday 5th September 2008

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Plans to introduce a 20mph speed limit on almost all of Oxford's roads were met with enthusiasm at the first public meeting held to discuss the topic.

Cowley residents packed out the John Bunyan Baptist Church, in Crowell Road, to have their say about the scheme - and to hear Oxfordshire County Council transport cabinet member Ian Hudspeth.

Among those making their voices heard was Martin Cattermole, from Church Hill Road, who spoke about the impact of speeding vehicles on his family's life.

Mr Cattermole, who has three children aged eight, 10 and 12, said: "I am not sure the proposals go far enough.

"My children are just the age where they are most likely to be hit by a speeding car.

"They cannot actually walk to school, they cannot walk to the park, they cannot even cross the road safely."

Mr Cattermole said three months ago his son, Adam, then 11, was hit by a car in Church Hill Road. Fortunately he was not injured.

He said: "I saw him flying through the air. We reported it to the police but because he was not injured there was no accident report. Lots of accidents happen without being in the statistics."

A so-called 'walking bus' had been planned for his children's school - but the idea had to be cancelled because the route was deemed unsafe even with a group of children led and supervised by adults.

Mr Cattermole added: "The proposal is great as far as it goes but some of the roads we are most concerned about are excluded.

"But it is the right thing to do and it is about time."

Anna Greenwood, of Beauchamp Lane, also backed the proposals. She said: "I hear some of the cars coming down the road and my immediate reaction is they must be going at 60mph - they are probably not, but they're probably going at 45mph.

"I am a little concerned that the mentality of these drivers, who already know there is a 30mph limit, but choose to ignore it, will ignore the 20mph limit too.

"I don't see how you can change the attitudes of the drivers by putting 20mph signs up.

"It is a great step in the right direction but I don't know if it is going to work."

Mr Hudspeth said: "We want to make sure everyone gets a good opportunity to air their views."

The next meetings are at: Tuesday: St Matthew's Parish Centre, Marlborough Road, South Oxford, 5.30pm Tuesday, Sept 16: St Andrew's Primary School, London Road, Headington, 6pm Wednesday, Sept 17: Larkrise Primary School, Boundary Brook Road, off Iffley Road, 6.30pm Thursday, Oct 2: North Oxford Community Association Centre, Diamond Place, Summertown, 5pm Wednesday, Oct 8: County Hall, New Road, 6.30pm Monday, Oct 13 - Blackbird Leys Community Centre, Blackbird Leys Road, 6pm Views can also be emailed to 20@oxfordshire.gov.uk, or posted free to Oxfordshire County Council, 20 Limit Consultation, Speedwell House, Speedwell Street, Freepost OF260 Oxford OX1 1BR.