A petition has been launched calling on Cambridgeshire County Council to “reconsider” Ely’s 20mph zone.

It comes after the local authority approved a city-wide zone which will be paid for by the Transforming Cities Fund.

Anna Bailey, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, who started the petition, said: “We, the undersigned, support 20mph speed limits in places such as outside schools and in high pedestrian areas, where the evidence shows it is needed and will improve road safety.

“We do not support the use of blanket 20mph zones like that imposed in Ely in March 2024, where the consultation was poorly executed, and where thousands of people that stood to be affected were unaware of the proposal and wide community support was not demonstrated. 

“We believe that the decision to implement the Ely 20mph zone being taken by a single Officer of Cambridgeshire County Council in a "delegated decision meeting" in consultation with the two County Councillors for Ely was wrong.”

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In March, Ely City Council issued a statement to restate its views on the city’s 20MPH zone.

It said: “On behalf of City of Ely Council, we are proud to restate the council's commitment to its support for 20mph for Ely.

“The City of Ely Council looks forward to work starting on the installation of signs and street furniture to implement 20mph for Ely.”

The statement is signed by Cllr Chris Phillips, Chair of the City of Ely Council and Cllr Rebecca Denness, chair of the Climate and Environment Committee

Bailey added: “We believe that such a decision should be taken by elected politicians in an open and transparent manner in a meeting that is open to the public to attend.

“We call on Cambridgeshire County Council to reconsider the locations for 20mph speed limits in Ely, taking into account new Government guidance, and to properly evidence its proposals.

“This should also take into consideration whether and what type of on road engineering solutions are required in locations proposed for 20mph speed limits in order to secure maximum possible compliance.”

So far the petition has amassed 422 signatures.