A NEW housing estate that has been plagued by speeding drivers has called for road users to obey 20 mile per hour limits.

Residents, schools and businesses in Great Western Park, Didcot have joined together to launch a new campaign to keep people safe when travelling around the estate.

In March a year seven pupil at Aureus School was knocked out after being hit by a construction vehicle while walking to school and headteacher Hannah Wilson called for urgent action.

The growing community is one of the largest residential developments in Oxfordshire and includes four schools, shops, cafes and parks.

Its streets were designed so that vehicles should drive no faster than 20mph but residents have repeatedly complained of motorists travelling at far higher speeds.

Limits of 20mph have now been introduced and the Great Western Park Residents Association is working to ensure these are enforced.

It will hand out 20mph stickers for residents to use and schools plan to create fliers, banners and an internet campaign to further spread the message.

Ms Wilson said: “Since I started the role I have shared my concerns about the lack of signage informing drivers that we have three schools in one condensed end of the Great Western Park.

"The lack of signage, traffic calming measures and crossings puts everyone in our community at risk, especially our young people.

"At least five of our students have been involved in road traffic safety incidents since we opened in September with one casualty being hospitalised.

"We need the safety of our community to be the collective responsibility of everybody. None of us want a fatality that could have been prevented."

The '20 is plenty' campaign is also being backed by GEMS primary school, local police, councillors, and housebuilder Taylor Wimpey Oxfordshire.

Warning signs have been put up around schools and road safety assemblies have been held, while all pupils are now required to wear protective equipment if travelling to and from school on a scooter or bicycle.

Local councils will hold a design workshop in schools to create a Great Western Park badge to be put up beneath the 20mph speed limit signs.

Gareth Clarke, Chairman of GWPRA, said: “We are very pleased that all these organisations are working together to improve the education and information elements of the road safety campaign.

"This is particularly important because the GWP roads were designed to be driven at below 20mph, in order to not be dangerous. The safety of all residents is paramount and we will support any such initiative which improves this."