20mph limit to be introduced in Wicken, where driver has been clocked at 93mph

A 20mph zone is set to be introduced in a small village where people say drivers speed through at over 90mph.

Cambridgeshire County Council has agreed to introduce the 20mph limit in most residential roads in Wicken, with a 40mph limit retained or introduced on the edge, creating a buffer.

Many people voiced their support, raising concerns at the speeds that drivers “fly” into their village.

However, others believed the current limit should stay and raised concerns about congestion and whether the lower limit would be adhered to.

In a statutory consultation, 21 people raised objections and 39 people were in support.

One person said some drivers speed through at over 70mph. Another noted that the highest speed recorded through the speedwatch signs was 93mph.

A resident said: “The speed people fly into this village is ridiculous. We take and pick up our children from the bus stop each day and genuinely fear for their safety.

“Speed bumps such as the ones on Mildenhall Road, Fordham, are a great example of how to calm speed.

“I plead that something is done before a serious accident occurs - [involving] a pedestrian more likely than a car.”

Another wished the change had been made sooner, saying: “I feel the roads in Wicken have become dangerous due to excessive speeding of cars, lorries and tractors.”

But one person said: “If you could enforce 20mph then you could enforce 30mph and leave things as they are, but you can’t, so why bother?

“Better to spend the money on fixing potholes. Those that drive excessively through the village will not change their behaviour.”

Another objector said: “Wicken village is a thoroughfare for people travelling east or west to nearby villages and towns.

“Lowering the speed limit slows down this traffic, creating greater congestion in Wicken, which means that vehicles spend more time in the village and potentially polluting more emissions into the village.”

The feedback was considered by the head of parking and traffic management at the county council and Cllr Bill Hunt (Con, Soham South and Haddenham), who backed the 20mph zone.

An amendment was made to the extent of the 20mph limit in Church Road.

The decision notice said: “It was noted that there was a good level of support for a 20mph speed limit from local people, whilst also acknowledging that there was some opposition.

“There is a local desire to reduce the speed and volume of traffic, particularly heavy goods vehicles, travelling through the village on the A1123, and it is felt that measures such as a 20mph limit will help.

“It was accepted that the 20mph speed limit alone will not address all of the local concerns and that further speed-reducing measures might well need to be considered.

“An incremental approach to speed management will be required to achieve the desired effect, but the introduction of a 20mph speed limit is an important first step.”