The claim has been made in response to proposals by Oxfordshire County Council to reduce the speed limit of Steventon Hill and the A4130 to the Milton Interchange at the A34 from 40mph to 30mph.

Responding to a consultation, Thames Valley Police said that installing just road signs of the new speed limit is “unlikely” to achieve compliance from motorists who have been driving at 40mph for years there.

In documents published online ahead of a formal decision being made, police also suggested there was potential for speed cameras to be installed on the two stretches of road.

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The documents said: “Thames Valley Police note that if a speed limit is perceived as unrealistically low and widely ignored, it can reduce overall safety, undermine respect for speed limits, and disproportionately criminalise drivers.

The A4130 from the Milton Interchange (Image: Google Maps)

“They also emphasise that police enforcement resources are limited and that there should be no expectation of routine enforcement where limits are set without supportive road design measures.

“Furthermore, there is extensive concern from other residents about the proposed reduction to 30mph, with many respondents also considering it excessively low for the character and function of the A4130 and Steventon Hill.

“Concerns include the rural or non‑residential nature of the road, the absence of frontage development, and the historic operation of the route at higher speeds.

“Some have highlighted that 40mph has historically worked well and that lowering limits will unnecessarily slow traffic, increase frustration and undermine respect for speed limits generally.”

A file image of a speed camera

Other proposals being put forward include a new bus lane on the A4130 eastbound between its junctions with the Steventon Hill and the A34 Milton Interchange near Didcot.

The plans also include new restrictions blocking westbound drivers from making a U-turn on the A413 at the Milton Interchange at its signalised junctions with Trenchard Avenue and the Steventon Hill.

Despite the concerns from the police, a consultation carried out by the council found that, of the 70 respondents, more people supported the speed limit reductions than opposed.

Oxfordshire Liveable Streets, supporting the proposals, said in a statement: “Given there is no cycling infrastructure here, and this is the main cycle route between Steventon and Didcot, this should also be reduced to 30mph.

“The carriageway here is wide and in places has central hatching, which encourages higher speeds.

“Consideration should be given to removing the centre line and putting in a southbound (uphill) cycle lane – or even a bus lane where width allows.”

It has been claimed that Gosford and Water Eaton Parish Council has been paying to trim hedges and litter pick in the alley adjacent to the Kidlington store’s car park.

Plastic bags, graffiti and other bits of litter has been a blight on the landscape for frustrated shoppers.

Green Kidlington councillor Fiona Mawson earlier this week called on Sainsbury’s to take “more pride” in the appearance of the area.

Responding to this, a spokesman for Sainsbury’s said it is looking into the concerns raised, but failed to say whether it would clean up the mess.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “We take the cleanliness and presentation of our stores very seriously and we are looking into the concerns raised locally, including working with local authorities to address any issues as quickly as possible.”

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Ms Dawson had accused supermarket bosses of “relying on the council to clean up for them”.

She said: “I’ve received numerous reports from local residents about the state of this area and have attempted to engage with Sainsbury’s about it, but they don’t seem to be interested.”

The latest mess in Kidlington comes after the Bicester superstore in Pioneer Square was under fire for the increasingly poor condition, prompting a petition to be started to get the chief executive to visit.

The incident occurred just before 8pm on Tuesday, April 14, when an electric bicycle was stolen from outside Popeyes in Queen Street.

Thames Valley Police now wishes to speak to two men regarding the theft and has published an appeal with their photos today (Wednesday, April 22).

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CCTV footage. (Image: Thames Valley Police)

A spokesperson for the force said: “Do you recognise these men?

“We are appealing for your help to identify them, as we believe they may have vital information about the theft of an electric bike in Oxford.

“If you recognise the people pictured, or if this is you, please contact the force on 101 or by making a report via the link in the comments quoting the reference number 43260181448.”