20mph Speed Limit for Cambridge City Centre

Cambridge has today followed the pioneering example of Portsmouth and a number of other towns and cities, and implemented a 20mph speed limit within the entire area of the inner ring road.  This action by Cambridgeshire County Council, is for a 12 month trial period and follows their decision in April 2009 to change their speed limit policy.  Under their revised policy, in those urban areas of Cambridgeshire where the average speed of traffic is no greater than 24mph, the county council now has the power to introduce 20mph speed limits.  Using this policy they agreed in April 2009 to undertake a trial 20mph speed limit scheme in Cambridge City Centre, Whittlesea, St Ives and Soham.

The case for a 20mph speed limit throughout Cambridge City Centre has been made in some quarters for at least five years but has become more vociferous as formerly quiet neighbourhoods have experienced increased amounts of dangerous "rat-running" by motorists.  Speed limits of 30kph (19mph) have been the norm across many urban areas of northern Europe since the last century, and there is now a national campaigning group - 20's plenty for us - in the UK.

Proponents of 20mph speed limits point out that accidents have decreased in areas where reduced speeds have been introduced and that survival rates have increased.  Suggestions that lower speeds encourage a greater take-up of walking and cycling remain contentious.  Along with improving road safety, the County Council is hoping that the new measures will provide a more amenable environment for all road users.