More 20mph streets in Cambridge will make 'big difference', claims charity
A public consultation on the plans has closed
A charity has said increasing the number of 20mph zones in Cambridge is not a war against the motorist.
Cambridgeshire County Council wants to bring in lower speed limits on more roads around the city centre, as a public consultation on the plans has just closed.
In 2024, the county council had planned to expand the number of 20mph streets in Cambridge and said that since then, feedback from local communities has been positive.
"There will always be a need for some people to drive or to drive for some journeys, but if we can make active travel and public transport as attractive as possible, we'll have a better city for everyone," Anna Williams, of Camcycle, said.
"There's always going to be a range of opinions, but I hope we can all agree that we don't think people should be hurt on their way to school, shops, work; we want to reduce that suffering to individuals and families and this will make a big difference."
Where could the 20mph limits be?
The county council wants to bring in 20mph limits to the following roads:
- Barton Road (from Grantchester Road to Kings Road)
- Brooklands Avenue
- Chesterton Lane
- Chesterton Road (Mitcham’s Corner to Magdalene Bridge)
- Coldhams Lane (Cromwell Road to Brook's Road roundabout)
- Corona Road
- Croft Holme Lane (part of Mitcham’s Corner gyratory)
- East Road (and Grafton Centre service roads)
- Gonville Place
- Hills Road (Lensfield Road to Brooklands Avenue)
- Lensfield Road
- Milton Road (Mitcham’s Corner junction only)
- Newnham Road
- Northampton Street
- Queen's Road
- Trumpington Road (Trumpington Street to Brooklands Avenue)
- Trumpington Street (Mill Lane to Trumpington Road)
- Victoria Avenue (Mitcham’s Corner junction)
More than 100 people have been seriously injured on Cambridge's roads since 2017, with a person around five times more likely to be killed when hit by a vehicle at 30mph than at 20mph, according to the county council.
Councillor Alex Beckett, chair of the county council's highways and transport committee, said: 20mph limits “can make a huge difference in improving safety especially for our most vulnerable road users."
'There isn't space for everybody to drive'
A decision on whether all, some or none of the streets mentioned by the county council can turn into 20mph zones is due to be made later this year, with any changes to the roads made in early 2027.
Camcycle wants a default 20mph limit across all roads within the Cambridge city boundary, despite the county council choosing to bring in lower speeds in residential areas and busy urban streets where it thinks will be more beneficial.
"Slower streets are safer streets; by bringing the speed limit down, that makes things safer for people walking and cycling so if you're hit, you're less likely to be seriously injured," Anna said.
"If traffic is slower, it makes a nicer environment for people to walk and cycle and more likely to do it.
"There isn't space for everybody that lives here or going to live here to drive for every journey, so we need to look at the modes of transport that can move the most people more efficiently but not damage our city."