20mph zone approved for Willingham - but will drivers obey it?

A 20mph zone is to be introduced in Willingham, but there are concerns drivers will ignore the lower speed limit.

Cambridgeshire County Council has agreed to introduce the new 20mph limit within and 40mph buffer zones on approach roads.

It recognised concerns had been raised, but said the new limit would encourage drivers to travel at lower speeds and offered a “relatively cost-effective way to improve road safety”.

The 20mph zone was requested by Willingham Parish Council, after a survey of 211 people in the village found that 62.6 per cent were in support.

A subsequent statutory consultation by the county council received 61 objections and 40 comments of support.

Objections included that it would be a “waste of money”..

One objector said: “Motorists are already disregarding the existing 30mph zones and overtaking law-abiding drivers. A 20mph limit will cause more frustration, aggressive and dangerous driving.”

County council officers said the speed limits were “designed to be relatively self-enforcing” and said “generally” drivers followed the set speed limit.

Officers added that traffic-calming measures could be investigated if speeding was found to be an issue.

Others writing in support of the 20mph zone called for it to be extended further.

One person said: “I fully support this, but please can we ensure the 20mph speed limit goes up to Westfield on Station Road, as a young woman died on the bend and this cannot happen again?”

The county council said it could not extend the zone at the moment, but said it could be investigated through a future scheme.

New 20mph schemes are being rolled out in a host of locations across Cambridgeshire by the council following requests from local communities.