Speeding cut on traffic blackspot

Residents say many motorists were breaking the 30mph speed limit

Speeding and congestion in a traffic blackspot has been cut by a £100,000 car calming project, say officials.

Speed cushions and road narrowings on Ladder Hill in Wheatley, Oxfordshire, are forcing motorists to slow down.

People living nearby say the changes mean fewer drivers are taking short cuts through their town.

Oxfordshire County Council had become concerned about motorists using the road to save time between the Oxford Eastern Bypass and the M40 or A418.

'Narrow streets'

The county council's executive member for Transport, councillor David Robertson, said: "Before work started on the traffic calming measures, many drivers were exceeding 40mph, even though the speed limit was 30mph.

"Now it looks like that problem has been overcome. We shall check this by measuring traffic speeds and flows after the school summer holidays."

Wheatley county councillor Anne Purse, said: "So many drivers were taking a short cut through Wheatley, bringing congestion to the narrow streets in the village centre in the early morning and late afternoon.

"I am pleased that speeds on Ladder Hill have already been reduced, and there seems to be less congestion in the village centre at peak times."