People in Cambridge have shown strong support for plans to introduce new 20mph speed limits on several city streets in a recent public consultation.
Cambridgeshire County Council received more than 1,000 responses during the statutory consultation, with 63% of those who responded either fully or partly supported proposals for lower speed limits.
The 20mph proposals are part of wider work to improve road safety and create safer streets for local communities as part of the Council’s commitment to Vision Zero, a UK-wide joint ambition to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries.
20mph limits are proposed for 18 roads in Cambridge:
- Barton Road (from Grantchester Road to Kings Road)
- Brooklands Avenue
- Chesterton Lane
- Chesterton Road (between Mitcham's Corner and Magdalene Bridge)
- Coldhams Lane
- Corona Road
- Croft Holme Lane (part of the Mitcham's Corner gyratory)
- East Road (including Grafton Centre service roads)
- Gonville Place
- Hills Road (between Lensfield Road and 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 (between Mill Lane and Trumpington Road)
- Victoria Avenue (Mitcham's Corner junction)
Earlier in the year consultation took place on 20mph areas in various residential areas near Cambridge including Fulbourn, Orchard Park and Teversham. Reduced speed limits are due to be installed in these areas from Autumn 2026
The council originally consulted on extending 20mph limits across Cambridge city in 2024. Following feedback from residents and businesses, a more targeted scheme was developed with the formal consultation running from 1 July to 5 August 2026.
The proposed roads include locations with a history of road traffic collisions, as well as streets where vehicle speeds suggest that a lower limit would be effective. 103 road traffic collisions were recorded across these proposed 20mph areas between 2017 and 2025.
Evidence from previous 20mph schemes in Cambridgeshire demonstrated that new zones in Cambourne, Ely, Fowlmere, Great Abington, Great Staughton, Histon, Ramsey and St Neots reduced speeds between 6 to 16%, according to statistically significant data monitoring reported to the Highways and Transport Committee on 1 September.
Public health and transport research has demonstrated that 20mph limits can help reduce both the number and severity of road traffic collisions and make roads safer for everyone, including children, older people, disabled people and those who choose to walk, wheel or cycle.
Councillor Alex Beckett, Chair of the Highways and Transport Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: "We would like to thank everyone who took the time to take part in the consultation and let us know their thoughts. We are committed to improving safety across roads in Cambridgeshire and there is clearly significant public interest in this matter.
“We will be taking time to consider the feedback we have received from the public and stakeholders. We are also ensuring we gain input from representatives across Cambridge before the Highways and Transport Committee decides on the proposals later in the year.”
The consultation results will now be considered by the Cambridge Joint Area Committee when it meets in September. CJAC is a committee made up of county and district councillors which offers advice on highways proposals within the city. The proposals will then be considered by Cambridgeshire County Council's Highways and Transport Committee in December 2026.
If approved, work to reduce the speed limits on the 18 Cambridge city roads would begin early next year.
