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20mph zone coming to Linton where drivers treat roads ‘like a racetrack’




A new 20mph zone will be introduced in Linton to prevent drivers treating its roads like a “racetrack”.

Some villagers raised concerns that speeding drivers meant it was only “a matter of time before someone gets hurt or killed crossing the road”.

A 20mph zone will be introduced in Linton
A 20mph zone will be introduced in Linton

But others argued a 20mph limit would not those who drove “at excessive speeds”.

Cambridgeshire County Council will introduce lower limit on most residential roads within the built-up part of Linton, except for the A1307, where existing speed limits will remain.

A 40mph buffer zone is planned along sections of roads leading into the village to create a “smoother transition” from the national speed limit.

The scheme is part of the council’s wider programme to introduce more 20mph speed limits across Cambridgeshire.

The authority said: “20mph speed limits improve road safety and can have quality of life and community benefits, including encouraging healthier and more sustainable transport modes, such as walking and cycling.

“There may also be environmental benefits as driving more slowly at a steady pace can save fuel and reduce pollution.”

A statutory consultation in Linton prompted 45 comments in support and 13 comments in objection.

One respondent said “speeding by drivers cutting through the village” was a “big problem”.

Another person said: “I wholly support this proposal. Cars go through the village far too fast and the road where my parents live sometimes seems like a race track.

“Reducing the speed limit should make travelling safer for all road users, particularly pedestrians, children on their way to school and elderly people who might be a bit slower to cross the roads.”

One supporter said speeding in the village was “dangerous and alarming” and argued it was “not safe for the elderly or children to cross the road”, adding that many animals had been “run over recently in Balsham Road”.

Another respondent said: “There are many families on the new estate and along Wheatsheaf who have to negotiate the traffic on a daily basis. It is unsafe and an accident waiting to happen unless speed restrictions plus other traffic calming measures are put in place urgently.”

Cllr Henry Batchelor considered the responses. Picture: Henry Batchelor
Cllr Henry Batchelor considered the responses. Picture: Henry Batchelor

And the council was told: “Many places are unsafe for pedestrians to cross and it is a matter of time before someone gets hurt or killed crossing the road.”

However, another respondent argued that “speeding isn’t really a problem” in the village as the “numerous obstacles and parked cars in the village tend to limit speeds anyway”, adding: “The only real effect of imposing a 20mph limit will be to potentially make ordinary residents criminals.”

Those who did speed would not be deterred, the individual said.

Another objector called it “a wholly unnecessary idea”, adding: “The roads are wide, with good visibility. The back roads and the A1307 around Linton are not dangerous and do not need a speed reduction. The traffic is bad enough in rush hour and this would only make it worse.”

Another raised concerns about the amount of taxpayers’ money that would be spent on the scheme.

The responses were considered by the head of parking and traffic management at the county council and Cllr Henry Batchelor and a report confirmed that “on balance” they had agreed to implement the 20mph and 40mph limits.



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