The 20mph Scheme in Ely has been installed in an urban residential city environment, and a large proportion of the roads which are now 20mph are estate type, unclassified routes in low-speed, traffic calmed areas. Other areas along the more major routes within the city, such as Lynn Road or Downham Road, have been significantly pedestrianised with shared use cycle routes, signalised crossings, zebra crossings, traffic calming, a significant number of junctions and / or flashing signs. In other areas of the city, there are also substantial amounts of on-street parking. These factors all contribute to slower vehicle speeds, and the roads included within the Ely 20mph zone are popular walking, cycling and wheeling routes in and around the city.

 There are also schools, care homes, GP surgeries, places of worship and other community amenities (trip attractors), which are located along these routes and others like them, and which, (often vulnerable) people need to visit daily. Lower speeds will lead to people feeling safer and more confident to walk or cycle for these local trips instead of using their vehicles, which will deliver health, community and environmental benefits by reducing vehicle emissions within the city.

 The Constitution and Ethics Committee, at its meeting on 3 March 2015, agreed that the Constitution should be revised so that TRO objections are delegated to the Head of Local Infrastructure and Street Management (LISM), in consultation with the local member, to determine. Therefore, the Ely proposals were determined under this delegation, in consultation with the local County Councillors for Ely, consistent with the Council’s constitution. In the case of the Ely order, the officer who took the decision was the Acting Service Director for Highways and Transport Strategy, and under the Place and Sustainability directorate’s scheme of authorisation, determining objections is authorised by this officer (https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/council/meetings-and-decisions/how-decisions-are-made).

I can confirm that the correct process as laid out in our constitution has been followed and the scheme has now been implemented. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to rerun the consultation at this point. The Highways and Transport Committee agreed on 23rd July 2024 to bring a report back to the Committee in 24 months, reviewing the impacts of the 20mph programme, and this will include Ely.