Skip to main content

20mph Cambridge City

Page Contents

The Cambridge City 20mph programme aims to:

  • improve road safety by reducing vehicle speeds
  • support safer, more inclusive use of road space for all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, businesses, and motorists
  • encourage walking and cycling by creating more comfortable street environments
  • reduce noise and air pollution by promoting smoother driving behaviour

The programme does not propose a blanket 20mph limit across the entire city. It focuses on creating consistent speed limits in residential areas and on busy urban streets where lower speeds are expected to have the greatest benefit.

How have areas been chosen?

The schemes included in this programme have been identified through previous public consultations and stakeholder engagement. These areas reflect community priorities and locations where reduced speed limits are most appropriate.

For more information about the previous consultation on proposed 20mph speed limits, see our press release Views sought on proposed new 20mph speed limits in Cambridge.

View the survey report below with the information and feedback collated from the engagement.

Proposed Extension to Cambridge 20mph Zones - Survey Report1.18MB–pdf
Size: 1.18MBFile format: pdf

Safety benefits of 20mph speed limits

A person is around five times more likely to be killed when hit by a motor vehicle at 30mph than at 20mph. Following the introduction of 20mph limits in areas of London, the number of children killed as the result of road traffic collisions reduced by 75% and child casualties reduced by around 50%. Edinburgh recorded 20% fewer casualties and 22% fewer collisions in 20mph zones.

Research from the UK and Europe also shows that 20mph limits can reduce collisions and injuries, improve survival rates if a collision occurs and support walking and cycling with only a small increase in people’s journey time. When monitoring average speeds on main through roads in Wales, speeds reduced by 3.8mph following the introduction of 20mph limits.

20mph limits also support active travel by helping people feel safer when they walk, wheel or cycle. 

Current 20mph streets in Cambridge

View existing 20mph speed limits in Cambridge on Streets - Cambridgeshire County Council.

Cambridge City 20mph consultation

Before we make any changes to existing speed limits we are asking residents and communities to share their thoughts on what is being proposed as part of the consultation process. This consultation is different from the previous engagement which has occurred. The feedback people give will help shape what happens next.

You can find out more about the Traffic Regulation Order process here Permanent Traffic Regulation Orders | Cambridgeshire County Council.

This means that residents, businesses, and anyone else in the community can:

  • say they support the plans
  • suggest changes
  • say they do not agree with the plans
  • or share a mix of different opinions.

The roads included in this proposal are:

  • Barton Road (from Grantchester Road to Kings Road)
  • Brooklands Avenue
  • Chesterton Lane
  • Chesterton Road (Mitcham’s Corner to Magdalene Bridge)
  • Coldhams Lane
  • Corona Road
  • Croft Holme Lane (part of Mitcham’s Corner gyratory)
  • East Road (and Grafton Centre service roads)
  • Gonville Place
  • Hills Road (Lensfield Road to Brooklands Avenue)
  • Lensfield Road
  • Milton Road (Mitcham’s Corner junction only)
  • Newnham Road
  • Northampton Street
  • Queen's Road
  • Trumpington Road (from Trumpington Street to Brooklands Avenue)
  • Trumpington Street (Mill Lane to Trumpington Road)
  • Victoria Avenue (Mitcham’s Corner junction)

To view or comment on the proposal visit our consultation page below.

Let us know your views

View a map of the proposed 20mph extents below.

Cambridge City - Proposed 20mph Extents4.98MB–pdf
Size: 4.98MBFile format: pdf

Where can I find more information?

Details about current and upcoming consultations, including how to give feedback, can be found on our Permanent Traffic Regulation Orders page.

Frequently asked questions

A 20mph speed limit means drivers should not travel faster than 20 miles per hour.

  • A 20mph limit usually applies to one or a small number of streets and uses signs only.
  • A 20mph zone covers a larger area and may include signs, road markings or traffic calming features.

20mph limits are introduced to make roads safer, reduce the number and severity of collisions, support walking, wheeling and cycling, and create quieter, more pleasant neighbourhoods.

Yes. Research shows that lower urban speeds can reduce collisions and casualties.

In Edinburgh, 20mph limits were linked to 20% fewer casualties and 22% fewer collisions in the areas where limits were introduced. Across the city, casualties fell by 17% within three years. [1]

In London, 20mph schemes led to a 34% reduction in people killed or seriously injured. [2]

A 2025 research briefing from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology found strong overall evidence that 20mph limits and zones are associated with fewer road casualties and fatalities. [6]

Yes. Lower speeds give drivers more time to react and reduce the force of impact if a collision happens.

In London, children killed reduced by 75% and child casualties reduced by around 50% after 20mph schemes. [2]

A person is around five times more likely to be killed when hit by a vehicle travelling at around 30mph than at around 20mph. [3]

In most cases, the impact is small.

Welsh Government analysis found that most journeys are around one minute longer on average. [5]

National monitoring in Wales found that, for 60 assessed journey times, most increases were no more than two minutes. [4]

In practice, journey times in built-up areas are often affected more by junctions, parked vehicles, congestion and crossings than by the posted speed limit alone.

20mph limits are legally enforceable by the police.

Community Speedwatch and local awareness activity can also help encourage compliance and reinforce safer driving behaviour.

Most drivers adjust their speed over time, particularly where the street layout, signs and local messages support slower speeds.

Wales national monitoring found average speeds on 20mph main through roads fell by 3.8mph after implementation. The proportion of vehicles travelling at or below 24mph increased from 20.8% to 54.0%. [4]

They can help create quieter and more liveable streets, and may encourage more people to walk, wheel or cycle for shorter journeys.

The effect on air quality can vary depending on local traffic conditions and driving styles.

Yes. 20mph limits can support calmer streets, reduced noise, better perceptions of safety, and healthier everyday travel choices.

These wider benefits are most likely when 20mph limits are part of a broader approach to safer, more people-friendly streets.

Schemes are developed by the highway authority and are then shaped by local evidence, safety considerations, community feedback and input from parish or town councils.

Schemes can be monitored using vehicle speed data, collision and casualty records, feedback from local communities, and other local information where available.

Monitoring helps identify whether the scheme is working as intended and whether any changes are needed.

Previously consulted areas for 20mph speed limits

The speed limit consultation period was from 20 May to 10 June 2026 for the following areas.

  • Cambridge Regional College and Cambridge Science Park, Milton
  • Fen Ditton
  • Orchard Park
  • Teversham/Cherry Hinton