A village is celebrating after a new 20mph speed limit was rolled out on its busy roads. 

Roads through Askett have been described as 'rat runs' during rush hour, with commuters travelling to Oxford.

The new 20mph zone stretches from the roundabout on the A4010, to the railway bridge at the other end of the village and includes the length of Crowbrook Road from its junction with Mill Lane.

The campaign to reduce the speed limit was initiated by former Askett Society chairman, Stuart Lee, in 2009, with the support of residents and Councillors.

The lower speed limit has particularly been welcomed by residents on Askett Village Lane, which has no footpaths for pedestrians but regularly has up to 2,600 cars driving through every day. 

Town Mayor Cllr Alan Turner praised the decision to lower the speed limit.

He said: "20mph is great. The new 20 signs are very noticeable when you turn into the road, it really stands out. Even if people see the sign and slow down to 30, that would be an improvement. Even in the worst case scenario it’s going to have a positive effect but hopefully the vast majority of people will go at 20."

The lack of pavement on Askett Village Lane has raised questions about the suitability of a potential development of 152 homes on De Graven Meadows.

Dave Maycock, the current chairman of the Askett Society, said: "The developers talk about sustainable development, but people avoid walking down here because it’s too dangerous. Until you live here, you can’t appreciate how bendy and windy these roads are and people never drove 30mph down here anyway.

"You’re not going to risk your life by coming down here. We’ve got school children in the village and they have to walk up to the bus stops on Aylesbury Road, but they do so at their peril. 

"Askett is a conservation area because it’s a lovely place. We’re just the guardians of this place for the future so we have to look after this area and preserve it so future generations can enjoy it.

"Plonking 150 houses on our doorstep is not going to help at all."

Cllr Turner agreed, adding: "The thought of 150 odd houses being tacked on to this village is horrendous. It’s a fabulous place and a beautiful area.

 "Coming round the bend there is no pavement and the school children get off the bus in the main road and then they’ve got to walk around that.

"The near-misses that have almost happened are just frightening. I have almost been clonked a couple of times walking round here so for school kids, or people pushing a pram, it really is dangerous.

"Can you imagine around an extra 400 cars on this road if the housing development is approved. It would be horrendous. It is a deceptively busy road as it is."

Developers Hourigan Connolly say the "overall vision for the site is to provide a distinctive and high quality place".

It insists the plans will provide a solution to the housing need while "respecting the site’s environmental and cultural assets".

A planning statement said: "The vision responds to current conditions and future needs, with the overall aim of providing a high quality residential environment."