Campaign group says proposals do not go far enough
Cambridge faces another chapter in the debate over urban speed limits after Cambridgeshire County Council opened a consultation proposing to add roughly 20 streets to the city’s existing 20mph zone. The plan would make the whole of the inner ring road a 20mph route, joining stretches such as Maid’s Causeway that are already restricted, but local cycling campaigners say several important roads have been left out.
The council’s stated aims for the scheme are to improve road safety, make it easier for people to walk and cycle, and to reduce noise and air pollution. Material accompanying the consultation underlines the greater lethality of higher speeds, noting that a pedestrian is about five times more likely to be killed if struck at 30mph than at 20mph.
Which streets are included and which were omitted
The draft Traffic Regulation Order would extend 20mph limits to the full inner ring and a number of connecting streets. Streets explicitly mentioned in the council's proposal include:
- Queen’s Road
- Northampton Street
- Chesterton Road (to Mitcham’s Corner)
- Victoria Avenue
- East Road
- Lensfield Road
- Mitcham’s Corner gyratory
- Corona Road
- Brooklands Avenue
- Northern part of Coldhams Lane
Camcycle, the local cycling charity, supports the principle of a default 20mph limit across the city but says the current proposals have omitted several roads that were popular in an earlier consultation in 2024. The group lists Gilbert Road, Milton Road, the eastern end of Chesterton Road, Barnwell Road, Long Road, parts of Hills Road, Victoria Road and Ditton Lane among those it wants reconsidered.
| Included (examples) | Omitted (examples) |
|---|---|
| Queen’s Road, East Road, Lensfield Road | Milton Road, Gilbert Road, Barnwell Road |
Arguments and concerns
Councillors and campaigners point to the disproportionate harm suffered by people who walk and cycle in the city: the consultation material states that the majority of those killed or seriously injured on Cambridge’s roads are vulnerable road users. Councillor Alex Beckett, who chairs the highways and transport committee, told the consultation that 20mph limits can substantially improve safety, particularly for children.
“It’s clear that 20mph limits can make a huge difference in improving safety especially for our most vulnerable road users – children.” — Cllr Alex Beckett
Camcycle’s chief executive has argued that a broader default limit would create a consistent environment for drivers and encourage more walking, wheeling and cycling. The group also suggested the council has watered down earlier ambitions without explaining the reasons for those changes.
What this means for Cambridge residents
For residents the consultation brings practical implications. A wider 20mph default would alter enforcement priorities, could change journey times across the city modestly, and may affect decisions by parents, commuters and local businesses about travel choices. The prospect of quieter streets and fewer severe collisions is likely to attract support from those who walk and cycle; motor vehicle users may question the extent and location of the new limits.
The council’s consultation is the immediate next step — it will consider responses before deciding whether to proceed with the Traffic Regulation Order. That process will determine the final list of streets covered and set the timetable for implementation. Meanwhile, community groups and residents have the opportunity to influence which routes are included by responding to the consultation.
As Cambridge continues to balance ambitions for active travel with the needs of motorists and local commerce, this consultation will be a key measure of public appetite for change. The outcome will shape daily life in the city streets where people walk, cycle and drive.
