Cambridgeshire residents can now apply for their area to become a 20mph zone

Anyone will soon be allowed to make an application for their local area to be changed to a 20mph zone, thanks to a new process set up by Cambridgeshire County Council.

Designed to improve road safety and reduce pollution, applications can be made between February 27 and April 28 this year, as long as the applicant has the support of their local parish or town council and county councillor.

Once an application has been submitted and approved, it will be processed and prioritised. It is expected that about eight schemes will be delivered in each application period.

Cllr Alex Beckett (Lib Dem Queen Ediths), chair of the highways and transport committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Speed kills. Studies have shown even a 1mph drop in speed reduces collisions by six per cent. Reducing speed limits from 30mph to 20mph can cut pollution by 30 per cent and reduce the chance of a severe or fatal injury in the event of a collision by a staggering 60 per cent. This is why it’s important we continue to create more 20mph areas.

“By establishing an annual fund to deliver these schemes we are giving more residents the chance to enjoy cleaner air and safer travel, both of which are a priority for the joint administration.”

The joint administration of Liberal Democrat, Labour and Independent councillors say 20mph zones will also help resident feel safer when walking or cycling.

More than a dozen such areas have been created in the past year.

More than £400,000 has been allocated by the council for schemes to 2025, while a further £800,000 has been secured in partnership with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, for area-based schemes, across the county.

The council says it will prioritise schemes for areas with:

• evidence of traffic incidents or potential dangers in an existing 30-40mph zone;

• vulnerable road users;

• visible homes, shops and businesses;

• a school or a school route;

• a cycling route; and

• an area that would benefit from more active travel such as cycling and walking.

Schemes eligible for the 2023-24 window will be approved in September, with installation between April and August 2024 following design work and consultation.

Changes will include signs and lines installed alongside a countywide media campaign to ensure residents are informed in advance.

Either a 20mph limit or a 20mph zone will be installed, depending on the specific location. A 20mph limit typically covers individual or a small number of streets and requires signs only, whereas 20mph zones typically cover larger areas and require both signs and markings.

Last October, all parties on the council agreed a motion to put a 20mph speed limit on any new residential road planned in Cambridgeshire.

To find out more about which schemes are eligible, and to submit an application, visit cambridgeshire.gov.uk/20mph-funding