New 20mph signs vandalised ‘within hours’ in Cambridgeshire village

Plans were approved in January to introduce a 20mph speed limit in the village

New speed limit signs in a Cambridgeshire village have been vandalised “within a matter of hours” of being installed. The new 20mph signs are being put up in Cottenham.

Plans to introduce the lower speed limit throughout the village were approved by Cambridgeshire County Council back in January, despite over 150 objections to the plans. The speed limit was introduced to “create a safer environment for all road users”.

The signs have only just been installed, and some have already been vandalised with black paint. Resident James Prestidge said he spotted a vandalised sign while driving home from work on Tuesday (April 21).

He said: “I noticed, contractors had started installing the new 20mph signs in Cottenham. So far only the entrance from Twenty Pence Road has been done, and a few little ones up to the high street.

“On the way home from work, I was quite amazed to see them plastered and dripping in black spray paint! It seems within a matter of hours they’ve already been vandalised!”

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: “We are disappointed to confirm that one pair of the newly installed 20mph signs in Cottenham has been vandalised. Our highways team is on-site, and it will be cleaned as soon as possible.

“The 20mph speed limit is being introduced in Cottenham following a successful application to our funding programme, and a consultation where the local community were invited to share their views and help shape this project.

“We’re committed to improving road safety, and 20mph schemes are one part of this. Reducing speed limits from 30mph to 20mph can cut pollution by up to 30 per cent and reduce the likelihood of a severe or fatal injury in the event of a collision by as much as 60 percent.”