City of Ely to enforce 20mph speed limit from April

A 20mph speed limit is to be implemented across a city to improve road safety and reduce pollution.

Cambridgeshire County Council has approved a city-wide 20mph zone for Ely, which will be paid for by the Transforming Cities Fund.

However, a request for speed cushions to be installed at the same time was deferred.

The new speed limit - initially requested by the City of Ely council - will be implemented by April 2024.

A meeting was held on Wednesday where councillors discussed responses received during a consultation period.

More than 120 people had written in support of the reduced speed limit - with 65 writing to object to the plans.

Liberal Democrat county councillor for Ely South, Piers Coutts, said he was "excited about the benefits these changes will bring to the lives of everyone in the city".

He added that the change would improve road safety and reduce pollution and said he looked forward to the speed limit being in place next year.

The authority's chair of the highways and transport committee, Cllr Alex Beckett said: "Studies have shown even a 1mph drop in speed reduces collisions by 6%."

He said lowering the "speed limit from 30mph to 20mph can cut pollution by 30% and reduce the chance of a severe or fatal injury in the event of a collision by a staggering 60%".

"I'm pleased to hear 20mph will soon be rolled out in Ely and see the residents benefitting from cleaner air and safer travel, both of which are a priority for the council," he added.

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