Huntingdon 20mph zones will be considered at the Highways and Transport Committee in July.
Last month, local councillors reviewed the consultation feedback at a delegated decision meeting. The decision was discussed by the County Councillors for Huntingdon.
However, it has come to light there was an error in considering feedback received as part of this decision. Several comments, both positive and negative, were received via a new online consultation portal but these weren’t included in the report that considered this issue – in total 34 responses were omitted. There were also issues around the delegated decision-making process. Therefore, to ensure a fair and safe decision it will have to be considered again.
The original decision notice published on the county council’s website has been retracted and an amended report, including the additional comments, will be discussed at the Highways and Transport Committee in July.
Cllr Alex Beckett, chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Due to the issues around feedback and councillors being unable to unanimously come to a decision, I am recommending that the 20mph zone for Huntingdon is discussed in public at committee in July, rather than being taken through the delegated decision process.
“We want to give the district and town council, and any other people interested, the opportunity to ask questions at the committee before the decision is considered and ensure we have the best possible scheme for the people of Huntingdon.”
The Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) procedure is a statutory consultation process. The consultation period for a 20mph speed limit on residential roads in Huntingdon began on 17 January and ran until 8 February. On street notices were displayed across the town, the consultation was promoted online, and a notice was published in the Hunts Post. A delegated decision meeting was held with Huntingdon County Councillors on 18 March 2024.
The scheme was put forward by local councillors on behalf of the community in response to the County Council’s call for 20mph schemes. It is being funded by the Transforming Cities Fund, provided via the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
This does not apply to other 20mph schemes – information was collected and presented to local members who made a decision for the other schemes, the issue with Huntingdon relates to the fact that information wasn’t presented correctly
