20 mph speed for Mill Road Posted:16/02/2010 14:44:22
20 mile an hour speed limit for the most dangerous road in the City
It looks as if the County Council will impose a 20 mile an hour speed limit in Mill Road. In an aim to reduce the high accident rate in this narrow, busy road, imposing the 20mph limit was agreed at the Joint Traffic Committee meeting on Monday 25th January. The meeting also discussed the possible introduction extending the limit to surrounding residential streets.
Mill Road has the one of the highest accident rates in Cambridgeshire. In the four years to early 2009 the police recorded 127 injury accidents, 14 of which were classed as serious and 97 were to pedestrians and cyclists.
In 2008 traffic engineers proposed a £400,000 flashing warning lights system to monitor traffic speeds in Mill Road but the proposal was rejected by County Councillors on the basis of cost and concerns that there would be no means of enforcement.
In the summer of 2009 Council officials consulted residents on a number of new ideas including speed humps, additional pedestrian crossings and the 20mph limit. Over 500 residents replied to the survey. Nearly three quarters (72%) supported the reduced speed limit but only 46% the road humps.
The Committee decided to spend £200,000 on 20mph speed signs, new drain covers in the gutter which at the are easier for cyclists to ride over and additional street lighting. Plans for road humps or changes to crossings were not approved.
The report to the committee also suggested it might be possible to extend the 20mph speed limit to the adjoining streets. The Residents Association has written to the Council asking for more information regarding this idea and we will report back to residents.
The Mill Road 20mph scheme will link in with an agreed plan to make the entire area of Cambridge City Centre a 20mph zone. The so called 'core area' inside the inner ring road, (East Road, Gonville Place, Queens Road, Chesterton Road, Victoria Avenue) where the 20mph limit is due to be implemented very soon.
