Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Transport  

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/075 

Key Decision 

Contact: Anthony Kirkwood, Vision Zero Team Leader (Anthony.Kirkwood@oxfordshire.gov.uk)  

Report by Director of Environment and Highways (CMDT8). 

Proposed changes for safety reasons along the A361 corridor include reductions to 40 and 50mph on various lengths and are being promoted under Vision Zero projects.

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to:

Approve the following speed limit amendments on the A361 between Williamscot & Bradwell, as advertised:

(a)           New 40mph speed limits:

                                 i.         at Williamscot Hill, between its junction with the access to ‘Earlswood’ at Thatchems Farm, and a point northeast of its junction with Thorpe Road,

                                ii.         at Shipton-under-Wychwood, between a point south of its junction with Dog Kennel Lane, and a point south of its junction with Upper End,

                               iii.         at Bradwell Grove, between a point north of Woodside Drive at Bradwell Grove, and a point south of the Kencot junction.

(b)           A new 50mph speed limit between Chipping Norton & Shipton-under-Wychwood.

The Chair introduced the item to the meeting, invited speakers to make their contributions and responded to their points in turn.

The Chair noted that the proposals formed part of the County Council's wider review of speed limits on rural A and B roads and related to locations where collision history, road characteristics or adjacent land uses supported lower speed limits. Officers highlighted the collision record at a number of the locations concerned.

The Chair acknowledged concerns raised by bus operators regarding potential impacts on journey times but noted the wider road safety benefits of the proposals and welcomed the absence of objection from Thames Valley Police. The Chair concluded that the measures represented a proportionate response to known safety issues.

The Chair thanked officers for their work, speakers for their contributions and agreed to the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED to:

Approve the following speed limit amendments on the A361 between Williamscot & Bradwell, as advertised:

a) New 40mph speed limits:

i. at Williamscot Hill, between its junction with the access to ‘Earlswood’ at Thatchems Farm, and a point northeast of its junction with Thorpe Road,

ii. at Shipton-under Wychwood, between a point south of its junction with Dog Kennel Lane, and a point south of its junction with Upper End,

iii. at Bradwell Grove, between a point north of Woodside Drive at Bradwell Grove, and a point south of the Kencot junction.

b) A new 50mph speed limit between Chipping Norton & Shipton-under Wychwood.