Motorists face a major shake-up of Britain’s country roads as dozens of 60mph routes are lined up for possible speed limit cuts.
Around 60 rural A and B roads are being reviewed under a new safety drive, with some stretches potentially reduced to 50mph or even 40mph.
The move by Oxfordshire County Council is part of its “Vision Zero” strategy, which aims to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on the roads.
Officials will examine crash records, road layouts and traffic levels before deciding whether current speed limits remain suitable.
But the plans are already likely to spark anger among drivers who fear the end of faster journeys across rural Britain.
The council said many roads being reviewed are narrow, winding routes where cars share space with cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders.
Several speed limit changes have already been approved on parts of major routes including the A4074, A40, A420, A417 and A4260.
Councillor Gareth Epps, the council’s transport spokesman, said the review was needed to make roads safer.
“Every death is one too many,” he said, adding that reducing serious collisions remained the priority.
The council insisted there would not be a blanket reduction across the county, with each road judged individually using Department for Transport guidance.
However, critics are expected to question whether lower limits will punish responsible drivers while failing to tackle the causes of dangerous crashes.
The review is the first major assessment of Oxfordshire’s rural speed limits in 15 years.
A formal public consultation will take place later this year before any changes are introduced.
The council said schemes would be monitored after implementation to see whether they improve safety.
But for thousands of drivers who use the county’s open roads every day, the message is clear: Britain’s 60mph countryside runs could soon become a thing of the past.
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