Cottenham: Is a 20mph speed limt needed in the village?

The village of Cottenham is one of 20 areas in Cambridgeshire where 20mph (32km/h) speed limit zones are being introduced. Do people living there think it is needed?

Sam Ward says the issue of drivers speeding through the village is "diabolical" and supports measures to tackle it.

She says she has seen "cars skid off the road" and hit a local shop's wall at a tight bend in the village.

"The amount of time that Co-op's been hit, it's ridiculous," she says.

The 56-year-old says she is worried about her children and grandchildren's safety.

"They are precious to me and I wouldn't want anything untoward to happen to them, and with this speeding through the village, it's just absolutely diabolical," she adds.

The village was successful in applying to be part of Cambridgeshire County Council's 20mph speed limit scheme, which is costing £348,000.

Tom Scriven says the village has narrow paths, meaning "you frequently have to step out into the road" .

"People drive way too fast through here. It's really dangerous for children especially... it's appalling. It absolutely needs to change," he adds.

"Somebody's going to get killed at some point or seriously injured."

The 36-year-old says he would "absolutely support" the 20mph speed limit being enforced across the village.

"I don't see why anyone would object to it," Mr Scriven adds.

But not everyone is in favour.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said some people drive through the village "extremely quickly" but a 20mph speed restriction would be "irritating" to drive through.

"It would be safer but I think people won't bother with it, they'll just go over the speed limit," she says.

"I understand why it is being asked but [I'm] not really in favour. Nobody's going to bother with it."

Cambridgeshire County Council says it anticipates the 20mph zones to improve road safety and air pollution, ease congestion, and encourage people to walk and cycle.

Alex Beckett, chairman of the highways and transport committee at the council, says he is "pleased" at the level of interest in being part of the 20mph scheme.

There were 88 applications made by community groups and parish and town councils.

"They are a proven way to improve road safety and reduce pollution," he says.

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