USUALLY the bane of lives, a section of roadworks near Wheatley has provided some relief for residents living nearby.

A temporary speed limit on the A40 has cut noise and congestion, say those living near the area and using the road.

Oxfordshire County Council crews have been working on the A40 between Oxford and junction 8 of the M40 since June 3.

The usual speed limit is 70mph but Oxford resident James Halison said traffic noise and queues had been cut significantly since the temporary 40mph speed limit was introduced.

He said: “It seems to have massively improved congestion at the Green Road roundabout. I wonder if it’s because people are taking another route or because traffic is filtering more gradually on to the ring road.

“If it is the latter then maybe a lower speed limit at peak hours is the way forward, as there is no point in hurtling down at 70mph but then sitting in traffic on the ring road, you may as well do 40mph all the way.”

Deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council Rodney Rose said he was not convinced.

Mr Rose said: “We have done extensive research on the A40 and all evidence indicates that reducing the speed limit on that stretch would have a detrimental effect on traffic.

“There was a proposal to put traffic lights at the Barton end of the A40 and reduce the speed limit but all our research indicated it would cause multiple problems and make the traffic flow much worse.

“It is likely to be the case that drivers are using rat runs to get elsewhere and that problems have been pushed out.

“I am not prepared to look at it further.”

Wheatley parish councillor Caroline Dalton said she had long supported plans to reduce the speed limit.

The Park Hill resident said: “I am a bus user but as someone who lives near the road it has greatly reduced flow and as a result greatly reduced the traffic noise we are exposed to.

“I think there is something in reducing the speed limit of that stretch permanently. I don’t think we would get a 40mph but I think 50mph is feasible.”

County councillor for Wheatley Anne Purse said she would also back plans for a speed reduction.

She said: “Anything that brings the noise level down would be welcome as it would improve the lives of those in Wheatley, Holton and Forest Hill. I have long said that I think 50mph would be a sensible approach to that stretch of road.”

Traffic flows are reduced to one lane in each direction and the temporary 40mph limit is in place 24 hours a day.

Work is expected to finish on August 13.

  • What do you think of the proposals to permanently lower the speed limit to 40mph? How are the roadworks affecting your journey? Email mark.taylor@oxfordmail.co.uk or call 01865 425411.

WORK IN PROGRESS

  • Oxfordshire County Council is using contraflows while it carries out a series of improvements on the A40 from the M40 to the Green Road roundabout in Oxford
  • The work includes resurfacing, and replacing central reservation crash barriers
  • Traffic flow is restricted to a single lane in each direction and a 24-hour 40mph speed limit is in place.