Angry residents hit out over 'ludicrous' 20mph road markings in Cambridge

Bright red road markings designed to get drivers in Cambridge to slow down to 20mph have come under fire ¨C with one resident likening them to ¡°casual vandalism".

The signs have been painted on roads across Cambridge as the city council's 20mph project enters its final phase.

But residents have hit out at the markings, raising concern over their visual impact and ¡°ludicrous" locations.

A marking painted on the junction of Newnham Road and Malting Lane has garnered particular criticism.

Cambridge resident Simon Ruffle said: ¡°I don't have a problem with the 20mph scheme as an idea, and in many cases it makes sense to have clear road markings at the entries to the scheme.

¡°However, in this case the road marking is clearly ludicrous. You can hardly fit a car into this narrow lane."

Mr Ruffle criticised the decision to paint the sign in such a picturesque spot ¡°oblivious" to its visual impact.

He added: ¡°We are seeing this disregard for the environment by county highways and their consultants all over the city at the moment, as demonstrated by plans to tarmac over common land beside Trumpington Road or cutting down trees in Milton Road, Histon Road and Queen Edith's Way."

Wendy Blythe, chair of the Federation of Cambridge Residents Associations (Fecra), echoed Mr Ruffle's concerns.

She said: ¡°New 20mph signs hit city neighbourhoods with the casual vandalism of a tornado. We need the right mindset and design skills to take this beautiful city into the 21st century."

However, John Richards, senior engineer for the city's council's environmental services, said the markings were needed at all entry points to make the 20mph zone compliant.

He said: ¡°Cambridge City Council is implementing 20mph speed control across most residential and shopping streets in Cambridge with the support of the county council who are the highways authority for local roads.

¡°The third and final phase of the three-year project, covering the southern and western areas of the city, is currently being implemented.

¡°Malting Lane forms one point of entry to the new west Cambridge 20mph zone, with each being signed in this standardised way. It is the effectiveness of the zones as whole that is paramount, rather than individual streets.

¡°Nevertheless, mindful of concerns raised by some residents, city council officers are reviewing with councillors and county council colleagues whether the speed reduction affect can be achieved in a more sympathetic way."