Many people in Ely have voiced their support for a city-wide 20mph zone to be implemented, saying it will make the city “safer and more pleasant”. 

Cambridgeshire County Council is considering introducing the new lower speed limits at the request of the City of Ely Council. 

A public consultation on the proposals saw 122 people write to the county council in support of the plans. 

However, 65 objections to the 20mph zone were also lodged, with some people arguing the change was “unnecessary”. 

The proposals are due to be considered by Ely councillors on December 20. 

A report published by the county council said the lower speed limit could reduce the chance of accidents and improve air quality in the city. 

It said: “Installing a lower speed limit makes it an offence for motor vehicles to exceed that speed. 

“Lower speeds could lessen the likelihood of traffic collisions occurring and if they were to occur could lessen the impact to victims. 

“Lower vehicular speeds can make the environment more conducive to alternative, sustainable or active travel modes. 

“Lower vehicular speeds could positively affect air quality and the wider environment.” 

Many of those who wrote to the county council in support of the plans said they believed the change would improve safety. 

One person said: “I fully support [the 20mph zone] on the grounds of increased safety for all road users, including pedestrians, and particularly children.” 

Another person added: “As a cyclist and pedestrian I have been subject to abuse from drivers. 

“Speeding is prevalent on Lynn Road and along King’s Avenue. The scheme has potential to make Ely safer and more pleasant community and would benefit the environment, encouraging residents to adopt active sustainable travel.” 

One person said they used a powered wheelchair and found drivers speeding in the city to be “very loud and intimidating”. 

They said they supported the plans adding that they did not believe the drop to 20mph in the city would “add very much to overall journey times”. 

Some people also asked for further measures to be considered, one person said they would like the county council to consider making the centre of Ely a car free zone. 

However, objectors argued the proposals were “totally unnecessary”. 

One person said: “[It is] not necessary except outside a school. There are no accident black spots. 

“There are very few roads in Ely where speeding can occur due to sheer weight of traffic or parked cars.” 

Another person added: “[This] fails to achieve the correct balance between moving traffic and reducing speeds in one significant area – Cam Drive, Kings Avenue. 

“Speed limits which are largely ignored are not worth implementing and have no effect on safety nor pollution.” 

One person argued the lower speed limit will “put many people off from coming to Ely”. 

They said the speed limit would also “frustrate drivers” which they claimed could cause more accidents. 

Officers at the county council said it was possible drivers could become frustrated, but said there was “insufficient evidence” to suggest this would cause more accidents, and said lower speed could result in any collisions that do happen being less severe.