Road safety projects approved as part of countywide Vision Zero programme
Four schemes aimed at improving safety on Oxfordshire’s roads have been given the green light.
At a meeting today, Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, approved the projects which are all part of the authority’s Vision Zero programme. Its ambition is to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on the county’s roads by 2050.
The schemes affect the A4074 corridor between Oxford and Caversham, the A40 at Barnard Gate near Eynsham, the A40 at Holton/Wheatley, and the Welch Way roundabout in Witney.
Cllr Gant said: “Vision Zero starts with a simple premise that no one should be killed or seriously injured as the result of a road collision, whatever mode of transport they are using.
“Designing roads and streets that are safe is one of the key strands to this policy, along with education, behaviour change, responses to collisions and safe speeds.
“We believe these measures approved today will help improve safety at sites where problems have been identified. However, as with all projects, we will monitor the results and make changes as required.
“More Vision Zero schemes are in the pipeline, as we continue to work with partners, stakeholders and the public, and I look forward to seeing them come forward on future agendas for decisions to be made.”
The A4074 corridor will see some speed limits reduced to 40mph and 50mph; no right turn restrictions will be introduced on the A40 a Barnard Gate on an experimental basis; a central reservation gap on the A40 London Road at Holton/Wheatley will be closed; and a raised parallel crossing will be installed at Welch Way, Witney.
The changes to the A4074 corridor are part of the council’s review of speed limits on all A and B roads in the county which it has responsibility for.
The Vision Zero strategy and action plan, which was adopted in 2024, aims to ensure the highway network is safely designed, implemented and maintained with the safety of users at the heart of all decision making.
The programme has a £4 million capital budget for measures delivered by 2026, plus £250,000 of revenue funding.
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