20mph speed limit for Ely is given go-ahead

A citywide 20mph zone for Ely has been approved by councillors and will be in place by April next year.

The decision follows a public consultation which prompted 122 people to write to Cambridgeshire County Council in support of the idea, while 65 lodged objections.

Councillors also agreed to include the section outside Tesco and the train station, which was not in the original zone. A decision about the installation of speed cushions was deferred.

Cllr Piers Coutts (Lib Dem, Ely South)said: “Cllr Whelan and I have heard from many residents about these plans, and we’re excited about the benefits these changes will bring to the lives of everyone in the city.

“It is clear from a variety of sources on the benefits in terms of improved road safety and reduced pollution. We look forward to the new speed limit being in place next year.”

The scheme was put forward by local councillors in response to the council’s call for 20mph schemes. It is being funded by the Transforming Cities Fund.

Labour’s Cllr Rebecca Denness, who represents the City of Ely Council, said: “It’s been a long journey to get here, but well worth taking the time to make sure the scheme is the right one for Ely and, most importantly, has public backing.

“I introduced the concept of reducing speeds in Ely to 20mph in 2020. It gained unanimous cross party support because it instantly addresses all the ‘accidents waiting to happen’ relating to speed that residents raise with the council.

“It’s not all been plain sailing. Support did wane among Conservative colleagues who sought to limit the scope by introducing it on individual roads rather than across the city.

“However, the majority agree that the wider the area covered by 20mph, the sooner drivers will lower their speed as a matter of habit whenever they enter an urban area, which is where people are.

“After a lengthy consultation period, the public backed the scheme with 62 per cent positive comments for the new 20mph scheme and 38 per cent against.”

A consultation for the proposal started in July and, following an extension, it closed on September 21.