Please note the 20mph application window opens on 15 January 2024 and closes on Friday 15 March 2024 at 5pm

Cambridgeshire County Council have created an annual 20mph funding programme to install either 20mph zones or limits countywide.

The programme will open for applications annually and anyone can apply if they have the support of their local County Council member. Once an application has been submitted it will be prioritised and scored by officers. This will produce a long list which will then be worked through until all the schemes applied for have been delivered.

The prioritised schemes will be entirely funded by the council out of a budget of £150,000 per year specifically set aside for 20mph schemes. This is expected to fund the delivery of around eight individual schemes per year.

The 20mph restrictions will:

  • make streets safer by reducing speeds and enabling a more equitable use of the road space for all users (vulnerable road users, sustainable transport, businesses, and car users)
  • encourage residents to walk or cycle by reducing speeds
  • reduce noise and pollution by amending the way vehicles accelerate/decelerate

The initiative will not be compulsory (but the greater level of coverage we attain across the county the greater level of compliance we will gain) and needs to be supported by the parish/town council and by the local county councillor.

Which areas are eligible

In general, a new 20mph limit should be in an area with features that justify a lower speed limit to drivers, for example, an area that has:

  • evidence of traffic incidents or potential dangers within an existing 30/40mph
  • vulnerable road users e.g. pedestrians (of all ability), cyclists, equestrian users and motorcyclists
  • visible homes, shops, and business frontages
  • a school or a school route
  • a cycling route
  • a quiet lane designation
  • an area that would benefit from more active travel such as cycling and walking

The anticipated benefits

Road safety

Research by the UK Transport Research Laboratory has shown that every 1mph reduction in average urban speeds can result in a six percent fall in the number of casualties. It’s also been shown that you are seven times more likely to survive if you are hit by a car driving at 20mph, than if you are hit at 30mph. If a child suddenly steps in front of a car, you are much less likely to seriously injure or kill them if you keep to a 20mph limit.

Active Travel

Research indicates that people are much more likely to walk or cycle when vehicle speeds are lower as they feel safer. The installation of 20mph zones or limits, especially in urbanised areas is expected to have positive impacts on the amount of people walking, cycling or horse riding. This has additional benefits to the environment as well as lowering the speed limit could encourage more people to use non-motorised means for shorter journeys such as walking to school or visiting the shop.

Congestion

Research shows that slower speeds encourage a smoother driving style with less stopping and starting which helps traffic to flow. Evidence from other areas shows that slower speeds encourage more people to walk and cycle.

Air pollution

Driving at 20mph causes some vehicular emissions to rise slightly (mainly Heavy Goods Vehicles) and some (car) to fall. Reduced acceleration and braking will help to reduce fuel consumption and the associated particulate emissions from items such as tyres and brakes.

Longer journeys

Research in other cities, suggests that journey times do not significantly increase. Where proposals are requested on a bus route the authority will work with the bus companies to assess the likely impact on bus journey times to enable a balanced approach to be taken.

How motorists will know they are in a 20mph area

Signs and lines will be installed in line with the relevant traffic and road safety traffic signs manuals.

If a new area is changing to 20mph local residents are informed in advance.

20mph signs will mark the entrance and exit of a 20mph area where the speed limit changes. Smaller repeat signs and or road markings will supplement these signs.

Some of the signs and road markings you can expect to see are as follows –

20mph speed roundel road marking

20mph terminal sign

20mph zone sign

Will street signs and markings increase?

The new 20mph zone or limit will rely primarily on signs and road markings. Care will be taken in conservation areas and around historic buildings.

Existing flashing speed signs will be changed to show a 20mph version if possible. Unfortunately, due to the age of some flashing speed signs they will have to be disconnected and removed.

In areas where there are existing school time amber flashing signs, with advisory 20mph speed limits, once the new 20mph zone or limit has been installed these will also be removed as the new 20mph limit will be in force all the time.

If further measures are needed to maintain lower vehicle speeds Town and Parish councils would be expected to part fund these extra mitigation measures through our Local Highway Improvement process.

How to complete the online application form

Your scheme should meet the aims of the 20mph initiative as set out below. You will be asked to demonstrate how your scheme fulfils the criteria on the application form. It is important to provide as much relevant information as possible.

For any applicant wishing to complete the 20mph application form offline first, you are free to use the “20mph Application Paper Form” in order to complete a draft version. We then ask you to submit your application online through the link under the ‘Applying’ subheading below.

20mph Application Paper Form20KBword
Size: 20KBFile format: word

The following interactive map provides information which you will need to include in your application including current accident data. You can also make sure that your requested improvement is on the public highway.

(If the map does not load, please view it on the MapsCambridgeshire website.)

Does your application address a known safety issue?

Evidence should be provided that demonstrates there is an existing safety issue or problem. This can be with reference to -

  • Existing recorded accident data which can be found on our website.
  • Anecdotal evidence of accidents including reference to photographs or emails where an injury accident may not have occurred.

Could the suggested scheme increase safety for vulnerable highway users?

Evidence should be provided in the application of how the scheme will make it safer for different user groups. Specific reference should be made to the expected safety improvements the requested changes will have for groups such as pedestrians, cyclists, or vulnerable users.

Could the suggested scheme encourage active travel modes?

You will need to specifically reference any local trip attractors, such as amenities, schools or sports facilities which fall within the extents of the proposed 20mph area and how the 20mph could result in an increase in the amount of people using active travel modes, such as walking or biking. The list should be exhaustive as the scoring here is cumulative.

Does the application maximise the impact of the introduction of a 20mph?

Your application should detail the area covered and expected compliance. You should include any speed data you have available for reference. You should make clear how your proposal positively impacts the most people within your local area and why these extents have been chosen.

You will be able to provide a drawing, map or pdf separately once you have completed your online application.

Does the application have demonstrable local support?

Does the wider community, particularly those directly affected, support this scheme proposal? How important is this issue on a local level? Evidence that your proposal is supported by the local community including your local county councillor, along with the level of local consultation that has been carried out.

For example, you should provide a detailed summary of what consultation you have undertaken to date, for example a parish newsletter, online survey, or presentation at a council meeting. You will need to satisfy those scoring your application that should it be successful local stakeholders will be in support of the scheme and are aware of what has been applied for.

Further scoring criteria

In addition to the above five criteria your application will also be assessed on how deliverable your project is perceived to be based on your requested improvement, and how fully the above criteria has been answered in your submission.

Read the document below for more information.

20mph Prioritisation Matrix142KBpdf
Size: 142KBFile format: pdf

Frequently asked questions

Wherever possible, 20mph limits should be ‘self‐enforcing’ and prior to making an application the applicant should satisfy themselves that their proposed 20mph is located in an area where reduced vehicles speeds are achievable.

Applicants should also be confident that the majority of motorists will comply with the reduced limit. There should be no expectation on the police to provide additional enforcement beyond their current routine activity.

There is no limit on the size of the project which can be applied for via the 20mph fund.

It is anticipated that the application process will open up yearly for new applications, which will then be scored via the prioritisation matrix. However, unlike the LHI process which starts from scratch each year, the previously applied for 20mph schemes will still sit on a long list, with only those new applications being scored, ranked and then added to the applications already received / scored, with the highest ranked applications on the list then being funded.

Anyone can make an application for a 20mph limit as long as they are able to answer the questions in the online application form fully, and have the support of their local county councillor.

A single application which details all of the roads to be covered by the 20mph limit within the requested area should be submitted.

Timeline

The application window proposed for the next 20mph application round will be as follows: -

  • Application window opens on Monday 15 January 2024
  • Application window closes on Friday 15 March 2024 at 5pm
  • Prioritisation process undertaken between April and June 2024
  • Report to committee including prioritised list for approval - TBC 2024

What happens next?

  1. The applicant will submit a completed online 20mph form
  2. Applications are then sifted, and checked by officers
  3. 20mph applications are reviewed on a district wide basis and assigned to individual officers to progress
  4. Officers will review their assigned 20mph applications and produces a high-level cost estimate for each application
  5. If needed, officers will liaise with the applicant if anything about the application is unclear
  6. The officer group will reconvene to score all 20mph applications as a group for each district using the prioritisation matrix and moderate
  7. The 20mph scheme scores are then ranked for delivery up to the budget available and the prioritised list is shared with the 20mph member working group to review. The final list will then be presented to the next available Highways & Transport Committee meeting.

Delivery

If your application receives funding, you will be asked to confirm in writing that you approve commencement of the scheme.

If we do not receive the above, or if circumstances have changed, we will reallocate funding to the next prioritised application.

The projects will be designed and delivered sequentially as a package to get best value.

Location 20mph installation area Works Description Project Stage Project Update (as of 31st May 23).
Stilton Western part of village - west section of North Street and High Street Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Entry and exit points on High Street, North Street and Caldecote Road. 20mph repeater signs/20mph roundel markings between these points. Delivery Scheme at delivery stage. All on track to be installed and enforceable by the end of June.
Godmanchester Town wide Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Entry and exit points on West Street, The Avenue, Cambridge Road, and London Road. 20mph repeater signs and 20mph roundel markings between these points. Delivery Scheme at delivery stage. All on track to be installed and enforceable by the end of June.
St Neots Various roads including St Marys Street, Berkeley Street, Luke Street and Buckley Road Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Entry and exit points on Hardwicke Road, St Marys Street, Shirley Road and Berkeley Street. 20mph repeater signs and 20mph roundel markings between these points. Delivery Scheme at delivery stage. All on track to be installed and enforceable by the end of June.
Woodhurst Parish wide Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Entry and exit points on South Street and Wheatsheaf Road. 20mph repeater signs and 20mph roundel markings between these points. Delivery Scheme at delivery stage. All on track to be installed and enforceable by the end of June.
Somersham Parish wide in built up areas. Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Entry and exit points on Colne Road, Station Approach, High Street and Parkhall Road. 20mph repeater signs and 20mph roundel markings between these points. Delivery Scheme at delivery stage. All on track to be installed and enforceable by the end of June.
Great Gransden Various roads including Crow Tree Street, Church Street, Mill Road, Sand Road, East Street, Caxton Road and Fox street Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Entry and exit points on Sand Road, Caxton Road, Eltisley Road, Meadow Road, Mill Road and Little Gransden Lane. 20mph repeater signs and 20mph roundel markings between these points. Delivery Scheme at delivery stage. All on track to be installed and enforceable by the end of June.
Toft School Lane Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Entry and exit points on Toft Road, Comberton Road and Hardwick Road. 20mph repeater signs and 20mph roundel markings between these points Delivery Scheme at delivery stage. All on track to be installed and enforceable by the end of June.
Oakington Dry Drayton Road, Cambridge Road, Water Lane, Station Road, Oakington Road, Westwick where existing 30MPH limit is in operation Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Entry and exit points on Dry Drayton Road, Cambridge Road, Water Lane, Station Road, Oakington Road, Westwick. 20mph repeater signs and 20mph roundel markings between these points. Final Account Work Complete
Barton High Street and B1046 (New Road) Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Entry and exit points on High Street, Comberton Road and New Road. 20mph repeater signs/20mph roundel markings between these points. Install DYL at junction of Mailes Close. Delivery Scheme at delivery stage. All on track to be installed and enforceable by the end of June.
Hauxton Jopling Way, The Lane Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Entry and exit points on The Lane. 20mph repeater signs/20mph roundel markings. Delivery Scheme at delivery stage. All on track to be installed and enforceable by the end of June.
Melbourn Parish wide Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Entry and exit points on New Road, Back Lane, High Street, Station Road, Cambridge Road, Drury Lane, Russet Way. 20mph repeater signs/20mph roundel markings between these points. Delivery Scheme at delivery stage. All on track to be installed and enforceable by the end of June.
Sawston Mill Lane Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Delivery Scheme at delivery stage. All on track to be installed and enforceable by the end of June.
Duxford St Peters Street, Chapel Street, Hauxton Road Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Entry and exit points on Moorfield Road, Hinxton Road, Ickleton Road, Grange Road and Hunts Road. 20mph repeater signs / 20mph roundel markings between these points. Delivery Scheme at delivery stage. All on track to be installed and enforceable by the end of June.
St Neots Town wide Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Consultation Informal consultation with Parish or Town Council in progress. Next step, formal consultation.
Histon and Impington Town wide Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Consultation Informal consultation with Parish or Town Council in progress. Next step, formal consultation.
Cambourne Town wide Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Consultation Informal consultation with Parish or Town Council in progress. Next step, formal consultation.
Ramsey and Bury Town wide Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Consultation Informal consultation with Parish or Town Council in progress. Next step, formal consultation.
St Ives Selected roads Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Consultation Informal consultation with Parish or Town Council in progress. Next step, formal consultation.
Soham Town wide Installation of signs and lines to implement a new 20mph zone. Consultation Informal consultation with Parish or Town Council in progress. Next step, formal consultation.
Ely Citywide Implementation of 20mph zones where appropriate in Ely City. Consultation Informal consultation with Parish or Town Council in progress. Next step, formal consultation.