Calls made to review 20mph schemes in Cambridgeshire
The county council's being told to re-examine its plans
Last updated 21st May 2024
A walking and cycling group believes more parents will feel confident to let their children walk to school if there are more 20mph zones in Cambridgeshire.
A motion is due to be put forward to the county council today, calling for a review into where and when 20mph speed limits should be imposed in line with government guidance.
That updated Department for Transport guidance includes introducing the schemes in the right places over time, with local support and not imposed as a blanket measure across an entire area.
Slower speed limits may help children feel safer, says group
John Morris leads the Hunts Walking and Cycling Group, which supports the 20mph scheme:
"If you hit that child at 20mph, they are eight times more likely to survive that accident than if you hit them at 30mph; why would you not want 20mph zones in built-up and residential areas?" he said.
"Some parents tell me that at the moment, they drive their children to school because they feel there's too much traffic on the road.
"If we make it quieter in our towns and villages on these residential roads to make it safer for people to walk and cycle, we might actually achieve that."
Public consultation
In its guidance, the Department for Transport said a "comprehensive and early consultation of all those who may be affected by the introduction of a 20mph scheme is an essential part of the implementation process."
Cambridgeshire County Council found in its schemes for Huntingdon, Soham and Ely, there were eight, six and 195 responses respectively, based on each area's population.
The council is also being recommended to undertake new consultations on schemes where necessary while also advising county councillors in advance.
"We need to take communities with us"
"We need to consult local communities and take communities with us (to support 20mph schemes)," John added.
"The success will be when we look at the statistics, and if we can save one life or reduce the number of injuries and life-changing injuries on our roads, that will certainly be an example of success."
Cambridgeshire County Council has previously said 20mph limits will help reduce the chance of severe and fatal injuries on our roads and cut pollution.