Plans to introduce 20mph speed restrictions in Didcot are one step closer after the town council approved a blanket limit despite fierce opposition.

A motion to approve the controversial scheme, which would be adopted in areas of the town that are 30mph, was voted through by Liberal Democrat councillors, who form the majority on the council, at a meeting last week.

The final decision will now be made by Oxfordshire County Council with Didcot’s case set to be heard in 2024 – 2025.

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Supporters of the blanket 20mph limit claim it will improve safety and remove confusion over speed limits, while the scheme’s critics warn it will cause congestion.

Herald Series:

Labour councillors voted against the motion at the meeting on September 4.

Cllr Mocky Khan, leader of the Labour group, said: “Labour put in an amendment which used common sense, kept safety in mind but where appropriate allowed traffic to flow.

“We wanted 20mph for residential areas or near schools but arterial routes to kept as they are to prevent congestion.

“Public speakers wanted a balanced approach and not a blanket 20mph and I was disappointed that residents’ views were not listened too.”

The scheme has also drawn criticism from Tory Councillor Ian Snowdon, who represents Didcot West on the county council.

Herald Series: County councillor Ian Snowdon said the blanket limit was "pure laziness"

He said: “This blanket 20mph is pure laziness from town councillors. I support it around schools and roads with a history of accidents or near misses.

“However, many roads like Wantage Road, Foxhall Road, Park Road and many others are just being targeted either by ideology or laziness.”

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Several residents of Didcot also spoke passionately against the scheme during the meeting.

But Lib Dem Councillor David Rouane, who proposed the motion, said some of their concerns were not related to 20mph zones.

He said: “There was a resident who talked about 15-minute neighbourhoods in Oxford, which was a concern for him but has nothing to do with this…

“Reducing speed reduces accidents.”

He added: "The Labour amendment excluded Wantage Road and Vauxhall Road, both residential streets and key routes for students walking to and from Didcot Girls School.

"Both Labour and Conservatives have tried to have their cake and eat it on this issue. They are both for it and against it.

"The truth is that this measure will hardly affect journey times for drivers going through the town but will help to make our roads safer.

"That has to be worth a few seconds of anyone's time."

Cllr Chris Jennings, a fellow Lib Dem and leader of the council, said it had been a difficult decision.

He added: “We felt if we were going to do it, we were going to do it across the board to stop confusion…

Herald Series: Lib Dem Chris Jennings is the new leader of Didcot Town Council

“We take on board there are some trunk roads that would have been nice to leave but it is just too confusing.

“Of course, a lot of people will by mystified by why it’s happening, but at the end of the day, the important thing is to provide a safe environment across the town.”