Division over Cambridge speed humps plans
Plans to install new speed cushions to try and cut “excessive speeds” along a street in St Neots have divided views.
Plans to install new speed cushions to try and cut “excessive speeds” along a street in St Neots have divided views.
Some people have argued that the plans will help make the street safer for children, whereas some others have argued it would be a “waste of money” and that speed cameras would be more effective.
Nine speed cushions are proposed to be installed along Crosshall Road in St Neots.
Cambridgeshire County Council said the plans have been put forward to address concerns about “excessive vehicle speeds” on the road.
The authority said the speed cushions are a narrower type of speed hump that will allow larger vehicles to “straddle” the hump, creating less noise.
Double yellow lines are also proposed to be painted along parts of Crosshall Road to the north of the St Neots Road roundabout, at a number of junctions to improve visibility by preventing people from parking there.
The county council held a consultation to gather views on the plans and said 10 objections were lodged, with 13 comments of support made.
Some of those who said they supported the plans told the county council that they believed it would make the road safer.
One person said: “I have children who cross the road regularly and it needs to be safe.”
Another person added: “This road is dangerous with people speeding up and down, there is also a restriction so you are unable to clearly see up the street due to a bend people come far too fast and bumps would assist in safety for residents and children.”
However, others questioned whether the speed cushions would be effective at slowing drivers down.
One person said: “This project is a waste of money, we have lived on Crosshill Road for 15 years and don’t think it is the noise that is bad, after all it is a main road.
“You can slow down the traffic and make money by using speed limit cameras.”
Another person questioned whether more speed cushions were needed in St Neots, claiming the town was “already littered with them”.
They said: “just place an average speed camera at the top and bottom of Crosshall Road and this will stop speeding and raise some revenue in the process.”
A local councillor and county council officers are due to consider the objections and comments of support at a meeting next week (September 3), before making a decision on whether the measures should be introduced.
In a report published ahead of the meeting officers have recommended that the project should go ahead.
It said: “It is acknowledged that there are mixed views on both elements of the proposals.
“The speed cushions are supported by some people, but a number of residents are against them and would prefer to see other speed-reducing measures, such as enforcement cameras.
“Officers consider that the proposed speed cushions offer the most comprehensive and cost-effective speed management solution.
“The prohibition of waiting has some support, but there are concerns about displacement of parked cars to unrestricted lengths of road.
“A number of people consider that the proposals do not go far enough and suggest that additional double yellow lines are needed, particularly on Crosshall Road to the south of Milton Avenue.
“When designing on-street parking restrictions it is difficult to predict where any displaced vehicles might transfer to and what impact they might have.
“Sometimes the displaced parked vehicles are dispersed over several roads and their impact is negligible.
“On the other hand, it may be necessary to introduce further restrictions to manage any significant knock-on effects.”