County rejects call to clampdown on speeding drivers (Cambridge Liberal Democrats)

Cambridge Liberal Democrats <camlibdems@gmail.com>

County rejects call to clampdown on speeding drivers

December 2, 2008 9:59 AM

County council officials have rejected a call from councillors to investigate traffic calming measures for a dangerous stretch of road in Cambridge despite a catalogue of accidents.

They have refused to carry out exploratory tests for a 20mph speed limit on Northfield Avenue even though a speeding car ploughed into the side of a block of flats in August landing in a resident's bedroom.

There has also been a series of other accidents on the road which prompted demands for action from the Cambridge Traffic Management Area Joint Committee.

The investigation to find out whether a 20mph limit can be imposed is permitted under Cambridgeshire County Council policy.

But, despite clear instructions from the committee - which includes county and city councillors - officials have refused.

King's Hedges councillor Mike Pitt said: "The county council officials have been extremely unhelpful in this matter. They have received clear instructions from the committee and yet have failed to act.

"I have asked if temporary speed cameras can be put up on the road and again they have refused. Yet they won't give me any advice on what measures can be taken to calm traffic.

"I am worried that if we don't act soon there will be another serious accident on this road and someone could be killed."

After the latest accident, Cambridge City Council carried out repair work on the Consul Court flats and agreed to erect bollards to protect the building in the future.

But Cllr Pitt claims that without help from the county he is unable to investigate external sources of funding such as Environmental Improvement grants.

"The county won't consider funding traffic calming measures," he said, "and yet they are not willing to help me to see whether there in any other money available from the city council. This is a classic case once more of the city council being left to pick up the pieces and do the county council's job.

"But we cannot sit back and wait for the inevitable to happen. Residents need our help."

Consul Court resident, Anthony Thorpe, said it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured.

"Drivers speed along this road driving right over the top of the traffic island and nothing seems to stop them," he said.

"We have children walking along the road to and from King's Hedges Primary School and this is really worrying me.

"There was a near miss only last week when a speeding car came over the roundabout and stopped just two feet from someone's window. Something needs to be done now."