On the morning of Monday, September 1 at 8:50 am, a tragic collision occurred on the A417 Mably Way in Wantage, involving a pedestrian and a motorbike. Unfortunately, a 60-year-old woman from Wantage lost her life due to the incident on this road that runs between Denchworth Road and Grove Road. The motorcyclist was hospitalized in serious condition but has since been discharged.
The incident prompted Thames Valley Police to issue an appeal for information, as investigating officer Sergeant Ruan Brink seeks answers. With no arrests made, the tragic event has reignited discussions about road safety in the area.
Mably Way once had a speed limit of 40mph, and from 2001 to 2009, it witnessed four serious accidents, including a deadly incident in January 2008 involving an 85-year-old pedestrian. Advocates, including medical staff from Mably Way Health Centre and local councillors, campaigned successfully for a reduction of the speed limit to 30mph to improve safety for vulnerable pedestrians. “We fought quite hard for a speed reduction,” recalled Jenny Hannaby, expressing relief when it was reduced to 30 mph.
The community’s concerns about road safety have grown alongside local developments. Significant housing projects, such as Kingsgrove with 1,500 homes and Grove Airfield with 2,500 homes, contribute to the increased traffic. According to 24housing.co.uk, the Vale of White Horse ranks among the top areas for new builds in the UK, with 228.7 houses per 10,000 between 2020 and 2023. “It is putting pressure on the roads,” said Councillor Hannaby, emphasizing the need for continuous safety assessments.
Wantage & Grove Active Travel, a local group, supports these concerns. John Tranter, the group’s chair, noted that Mably Way became “a lot busier” following the opening of King Alfred Way in December 2024, connecting it to Reading Road, a primary route to Didcot. While traffic has lessened through the Wantage and Charlton centers, Tranter points out that the 30mph speed limit is frequently ignored, making the road feel relatively dangerous. He advocates for using quieter alternative cycling routes nearby.
Local authorities are considering various safety measures, including potentially lowering the speed limit to 20mph. Wantage Town Council is engaging in the county’s 20mph program, though Grove has yet to decide. Oxfordshire County Council awaits the police investigation to determine if any highway factors contributed to the recent incident.
Although Ms. Hannaby, the ward county councillor, currently opposes a reduced speed limit to 20mph on Mably Way, she promotes exploring other safety enhancements such as renewed cycle paths. “It is a very sad situation, but I could not support a 20-mph speed limit on the road,” she stated, adding that it’s her perception that the majority of residents do not favor such a change.
If you’re interested in active travel or local road safety measures, explore related categories in our Wantage business directory. You can also contribute by submitting an event or listing a local business.
