Councillors to debate citywide 20mph zone for Ely

A citywide 20mph zone for Ely is due to be considered by councillors.

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

The City of Ely Council proposed the idea to the county council, which is responsible for highways.

A report to a county council meeting on Wednesday (December 20) says a lower speed limit would reduce the likelihood of collisions, “lessen their impact to victims” and “make the environment more conducive to alternative, sustainable or active travel modes”.

It adds: “Lower vehicular speeds could positively affect air quality and the wider environment.”

In response to the consultation, one person said: “I fully support [the 20mph zone] on the grounds of increased safety for all road users, including pedestrians, and particularly children.”

Another added: “As a cyclist and pedestrian I have been subject to abuse from drivers.

“Speeding is prevalent on Lynn Road and along King’s Avenue. The scheme has potential to make Ely safer and more pleasant community and would benefit the environment, encouraging residents to adopt active sustainable travel.”

One powered wheelchair user found drivers speeding in the city to be “very loud and intimidating”.

Another respondent suggested making the centre of Ely a car free zone.

But some objectors argued the proposals were “totally unnecessary”.

One person said a 20mph zone should not be considered “except outside a school”, adding: “There are no accident black spots. There are very few roads in Ely where speeding can occur due to sheer weight of traffic or parked cars.”

Another person argued the scheme “fails to achieve the correct balance between moving traffic and reducing speeds in one significant area – Cam Drive, Kings Avenue”, adding: “Speed limits which are largely ignored are not worth implementing and have no effect on safety nor pollution.”

One person suggested the lower speed limit will “put many people off from coming to Ely” and would “frustrate drivers”, potentially leading to more accidents.

Officers rescinded that there was “insufficient evidence” to suggest frustration would cause more accidents, and stressed that lower speeds would lead to collisions being less severe.