A decision is due to be made next week
Plans for a new 20mph zone in Little Paxton have faced backlash with questions raised over whether the lower speed limits would be followed. Cambridgeshire County Council is proposing to reduce the speed limit on most residential roads within the built-up part of Little Paxton to 20mph.
The authority said 20mph speed limits can reduce the number and severity of collisions and help to encourage people to use more sustainable modes of travel.
Exemptions to the 20mph speed limit are proposed for the Great North Road and the part of Mill Road across the river towards St Neots, which the county council said are “only lightly built-up” and did not meet the authority’s policy for a 20mph speed limit.
The existing 40mph speed limit on the Great North Road is proposed to be kept and extended westwards near to the Brimstone Avenue junction. The county council said this extension would hopefully lower the speed of drivers approaching the junction and entering the village from that direction.
An application for the proposed 20mph zone was made by Little Paxton Parish Council. The council submitted a survey of 351 people in the village which found that 52 per cent of respondents believe there is a speeding problem in the village.
The county council also conducted a statutory consultation to gather views on the plan. Of the 58 responses received, 22 people shared support for the 20mph zone and 33 people raised objections. Those in support said they believed the lower speed limit would help make the village safer.
One person said: “I think this is a great idea and will save lives, and help promote a safer environment within the village. Hopefully it will help stop the drivers who drive excessively over the current speed limit.”
Another supporter said: “Noise disturbance, pollution and dangerous driving is a blight on Paxton and directly reduces quality of life. Fully support these proposals, especially regarding Mill Lane. Let’s make Paxton work for residents, not just motorists.”
‘If people are speeding now, they will continue to speed in a 20mph zone’
However, some of those who said they objected to the plans branded the proposals as “unnecessary” and questioned whether the 20mph speed limits would be followed. One objector said: “If people are speeding now with a 30mph limit, those people will continue to speed with a 20mph limit.
“For those who take notice of speed limits, 20mph is difficult to keep to with modern cars, requires frequent braking, causing more pollution.
“Better to police the current limit, using cameras, speed monitoring equipment, [or] signs showing the actual speed a car is travelling at. And maybe fix the roads so cars don’t have to swerve to avoid holes [and] get jolted around taking focus off good driving.”
Another objector argued that the project would be a “waste of precious council resources”. They said: “I would support a reduction in speed around the school, but for the whole village is a sheer waste of money, it shows that the council wants to complain about the lack of funding, but is not willing to prioritise areas that it has a responsibility for which are in desperate need for money.”
A decision on whether the 20mph zone should be introduced in Little Paxton is due to be made next week (December 15). A report published ahead of the meeting acknowledges the mixed views on the proposals, but recommends that the changes should go ahead.
The report said: “It is acknowledged that opinions vary on 20mph speed limits. In the case of Little Paxton, there appears to be some opposition to a village-wide 20mph limit. However, the recent statutory process and the earlier parish council engagement exercises also suggest that there is a reasonable level of local support.
“There were relatively few comments on, and not objections, to the proposed 40mph speed limit modification on Great North Road, so it is recommended that it be implemented as published.
“In summary, 20mph limits are widely used to encourage drivers to travel at lower speeds, particularly in residential areas where it is common for more vulnerable road users to be present. In addition, there are likely to be higher numbers of pedestrians and cyclists, who will feel safer and more confident if motorised vehicles are travelling at reduced speeds.
“20mph speed limits represent a relatively cost-effective way to improve road safety and encourage more sustainable modes of transport. Consequently, it is recommended that the proposed 20mph speed limit for Little Paxton be implemented.”
