A major UK city has approved the rollout of 20mph speed limit zones despite receiving backlash from local drivers.
The zones will be in place across Cambridgeshire with the town of Huntingdon set to lower its speed limits later this year.
The speed limit was agreed at the latest Highways and Transport Committee meeting and comes after a consultation period in which drivers shared their thoughts.
Despite receiving objections from the public, the council has decided to go ahead with the scheme anyway.
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Cambridgeshire County Council held a consultation in January
PAThe Council said it reviewed the consultation feedback, listened to some of the County Councillors for Huntingdon and also heard from Huntingdon Town Council.
Councillor Alex Beckett, chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Due to the responses that were omitted and councillors being unable to unanimously come to a decision, I wanted to discuss the 20mph zone for Huntingdon at committee.
“We had a good debate and it was helpful to hear from residents, councillors and Huntingdon Town Council.”
He explained that studies have shown that even a drop of one mile per hour in speed reduces collisions by six per cent.
The Council will reduce speed limits from 30mph to 20mph on roads in the town to help cut pollution by 30 per cent and reduce the chance of a “severe or fatal injury”.
Beckett added: “In areas where lower speed limits are introduced, people also become more confident to go out walking and cycling or use other forms of non-motorised transport.
“I believe 20mph in parts of Huntingdon is the right decision and I look forward to seeing residents benefitting from safer travel and cleaner air too, which will help create a greener Cambridgeshire for everyone.”
The work to introduce 20mph zones will begin this Autumn with drivers urged to make sure they adhere to the new changes when they roll out.
The consultation period for a 20mph speed limit began on January 17 and ran until February 8, before being analysed by the Council.
The council detailed: “On-street notices were displayed across the town, the consultation was promoted online, and a notice was published in the Hunts Post.
“A delegated decision meeting was held with Huntingdon County Councillors on March 18, 2024."
The scheme was put forward by local councillors on behalf of the community in response to the County Council’s call for 20mph schemes.
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The 20mph zones will be introduced in Autumn later this year
GETTYThe scheme is being funded by the Transforming Cities Fund, provided through the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
