Origins of the Scheme: The request for a 20mph scheme stemmed from a unanimous request from the cross-party City of Ely Council. It was minuted at 8 different meetings in 2021/22.  A time-limited funding opportunity became available in 2023.

Rationale for 20 mph: The primary motivation for implementing a 20mph scheme lies in enhancing pedestrian safety, backed by data showing significantly reduced fatalities and serious injuries compared to higher speed limits. Various studies support the benefits of lower speed limits, including reduced emissions, increased active transportation, and mitigated road injuries.

Recorded accident data only tends to be available for incidents that the police attend. Many incidents do not require police involvement and near misses are not recorded. That means the data tends to be understated. Even so, this data does reveal recorded incidents across the City^[3].

Research indicates the possible reduction in seriousness of these incidents at different speeds:

Research by the Transport Research Laboratory has shown that for urban roads with low average speeds there is an average 6% reduction in collisions with each 1mph reduction in average speed.^[1]

A 2018 study by Dr Adrian L Davis FFPH concluded that:

For air quality the limited literature is consistent with small improvements in air quality. However, the volume and methodological strength of studies means that it is only possible to state that: air quality is likely to be improved as a result of 20mph speed limits but the evidence is weak.^[2]

Area-Wide Implementation: The scheme was not City-wide, but an area-wide scheme, with areas without housing having a 30mph limit. Opting for an area-wide 20 mph zone simplifies enforcement and promotes compliance, addressing concerns raised about short, fragmented speed zones. The compact nature of Ely makes a uniform speed limit more practical and straightforward for motorists to navigate.

Impact on Road Users: Contrary to claims of undue burden on motorists, the scheme’s impact on travel time is minimal when considering real-world driving conditions. However, the potential to save lives and prevent serious injuries, particularly among vulnerable road users like children, outweighs any inconvenience to drivers.

Enforcement: Enforcement of the 20 mph limit falls under police jurisdiction. If requested, alternative traffic calming measures can be considered.

Funding: Funding for the scheme is allocated from government funds via the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, earmarked specifically for such initiatives and separate from road repair budgets. Funding does not come from Council Tax.

Consultation: The consultation ran from 2^nd August to 21^st September 2023, longer than is required. The consultation was advertised in local press, but also efforts were made to disseminate information about the proposed scheme, including press coverage, leaflet distribution, radio appearances, and extensive social media coverage.

A few examples of online coverage:

• https://www.cityofelycouncil.org.uk/speed-limit-consultation-for-ely/
• https://www.elystandard.co.uk/news/23705274.ely-20mph-scheme-consultation-launched-city/
• https://www.cambsnews.co.uk/news/lib-dem-fury-at-leaflet-ban-by-ely-market-bosses/14186/
• https://eastcambscan.org/20-mph-speed-limit-proposed-for-city-of-ely/
• https://www.ecld.org.uk/campaigns/20mph-for-ely

Consultation Outcome: Nearly 200 responses were received, with the majority in support of the scheme. Only 66 objections were recorded, which were responded to by the Council Officers. The decision was widely publicised, with extensive media coverage and social media engagement. 

A few examples of online coverage:

• 20mph speed limit for Ely approved – Cambridgeshire County Council
• City of Ely to enforce 20mph speed limit from April – BBC News
• City-wide 20mph speed zone to be rolled out across Ely after scheme approved – Cambridgeshire Live (cambridge-news.co.uk)
• Ely: City-wide 20mph speed limit approved yesterday | Ely Standard
• Ely 20mph speed limit gains public support – BBC News
• Ely: Support pours in for ‘safer’ 20mph zone in city | Ely Standard

Decision: The public meeting of the Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) Highways & Transport Committee meeting on 4 July 2023, was told that £100K had been made available from the Combined Authority to investigate (among other things) the implementation of 20MPH zones in Ely city centre. There was no objection or dissent to this.

On 3 October the public meeting of the CCC Highways & Transport Committee was told that the Combined Authority funded schemes including Ely would be implemented in Q4 2023/24. The report was approved with no opposition and one abstention.

In line with the usual process for such schemes, the decision to implement the scheme was made as a delegated decision by a Council Officer. The limit came into effect from 29^th March 2024.

The Ely 20mph scheme represents a step towards prioritizing road safety and community well-being, underpinned by evidence-based decision-making. However, if there are specific issues that arise, then alterations to the scheme will be considered.

1. Finch, D., Kompfner, P., Lockwood, C., Maycock, G. 1994. Speed, speed limits, and accidents. TRL Project Report 58, Cowthorne: TRL.
2. Davis, A. 2018. The state of the evidence on 20mph speed limits with regards to road safety, active travel and air pollution impacts. A Literature Review of the Evidence. Adrian Davis Associates Consultant on Transport & Health Bristol, UK.
3. Cambridgeshire Road Traffic Collision Data | Cambridgeshire Insight Open Data

   Leave a comment