Police have raised concerns about whether drivers will keep to lower speed limits if the Girton 20mph zone is extended. Cambridgeshire Constabulary offered overall support for the plan to introduce more 20mph speed limits in the village, but raised concern about compliance along Girton Road without extra measures put in place to slow drivers down.
Cambridgeshire County Council said this could be looked at if compliance with the 20mph speed limit was poor. The existing 20mph zone in the north of Girton was introduced back in 2021. The county council is now proposing to extend the zone to most streets in the south of the village, from Girton Road’s junction with Weavers Field, to Girton Road’s junction with Huntingdon Road.
The scheme is part of a wider programme at the county council to introduce more 20mph speed limits across Cambridgeshire. The extension to the 20mph zone in Girton was requested by Girton Parish Council. A statutory consultation conducted by the county council only received three responses from members of the public, one in objection and two in support.
The objector raised concerns about people keeping to the lower speed limit. They said: “20mph speed limits are routinely ignored and unenforced by police. Creation of such zones is an improper and wasteful use of money and creates risk for road users, as drivers breaking the limit perform dangerous overtakes on the minority of drivers who stick to it. This is particularly dangerous for learner drivers who are required to stick to limits, but lack the road confidence to handle such overtakes.”
Officers at the county council said extending the 20mph zone would create consistency for people. They added that the design of the majority of the roads in the village should “naturally encourage low speeds”. However, officers said they accepted some drivers “disregard speed limits”, but said it is hoped drivers will eventually accept 20mph limits as the default in built-up areas and slow down.
People who shared support for the plan said they welcomed the proposal to extend the 20mph zone across the village, adding they have felt safer since the current lower speed limits were implemented. One supporter said: “Cycling and walking in Girton has been much better since the original 20mph zone was introduced. This proposal will extend the benefits of the existing 20mph zone throughout the village and make it a much safer and more attractive route for me and my family to cycle to Cambridge and work. Thank you for bringing it forward.”
A decision on whether to extend the 20mph zone is due to be made next week (January 21). Officers at the county council have recommended the extension is approved to help improve road safety. They said: “It is acknowledged that opinions vary on 20mph speed limits. Some people strongly support them, whilst others are opposed.
“In the case of Girton out of the few comments received just one objection to the proposed speed limit has been submitted, and these comments are in opposition to all 20mph speed limits in general as opposed to the Girton scheme specifically. The local member has stated that residents are keen on the 20mph speed limit to be extended to the south of the village.
“20mph limits are widely used to encourage drivers to travel at lower speeds, particularly in residential areas where it is common for more vulnerable road users to be present. In addition, there are likely to be higher numbers of pedestrians and cyclists, who will feel safer and more confident if motorised vehicles are travelling at reduced speeds. 20mph speed limits represent a relatively cost-effective way to improve road safety and encourage more sustainable modes of transport. Consequently, it is recommended that the proposal for Girton be implemented.”