Willingham 20mph zone decision to be made on October 14

However, others in the village have shared support for the 20mph speed limits and even called for them to be extended further.

Cambridgeshire County Council is proposing to lower the speed limit within the village to 20mph and to implement 40mph buffer zones on approach roads.

The proposals are part of a wider programme at the county council to introduce more 20mph speed limits across the county.

The authority said the 20mph zone had been requested by Willingham Parish Council, which conducted a survey of 211 people in the village, finding 62.6 per cent in support of 20mph speed limits being introduced.

A subsequent statutory consultation conducted by the county council received 61 objections and 40 comments of support.

A report published by the county council set out some of the issues people had raised about the plans.

Concern was shared that the project would be a “waste of money” if people did not follow the proposed lower speed limits and if there was no enforcement.

One objector said: “Motorists are already disregarding the existing 30mph zones and overtaking law-abiding drivers, a 20mph limit will cause more frustration, aggressive and dangerous driving.”

County council officers said the speed limits were “designed to be relatively self-enforcing” and said generally there was a “good level of compliance” with speed limits.

However, they said traffic calming measures could be investigated if speeding was found to be an issue.

Officers also said that there was an “ill-conceived conception” that accidents only occur due to the “outliers” who disregard the speed limit.

They said it was expected that most drivers would follow the lower speed limits, which officers said would have a “positive impact on road safety”.

Concern was also shared that the lower speed limits would make driving through the village take longer, with some saying it was already a “nightmare” trying to leave the village at peak times of the day.

One objector said: “If you lower the speed limit to 20mph most people will sit under 20mph as they do already when it comes to 30mph.

“So we will be crawling through the village, making commuting intolerable.

“All this will do is increase journey times for compliant motorists.”

However, officers said there would only be a “relatively minor increase” in the total journey time caused by the lower speed limit.

They added that in periods of high congestion the lower speed could lead to a “smoother driving style”, which they said could “improve drivers’ overall perception of travelling/commuting through the area”.

The report also set out the comments made in support of the 20mph zone.

Some in support of 20mph speed limits being introduced actually called for them to be extended further.

One person said: “I fully support this, but please can we ensure the 20mph speed limit goes up to Westfield on Station Road, as a young woman died on the bend and this cannot happen again.”

Others said they hoped the new speed limits would help stop drivers from speeding through the village.

One person said: “I fully support this proposal as cars often drive too fast through the village.”

Another person said: “Traffic is too fast for these roads which include parked cars, pedestrian crossings, shops, bus stops, children’s schools and nurseries.

“This means loud vehicle noises, unsafe situations at junctions where visibility is more limited and feeling unsafe as a pedestrian or cyclist on the roads and pavements.

“Pedestrian safety is paramount.”

Another supporter said they hoped the 20mph speed limits would act as a deterrent to lorries, which they said used the village as a cut through and caused “significant damage” to the roads.

One person added that they hoped slower traffic going past their home would mean it would no longer feel like the foundations of their house were “being shaken”.

A decision on whether to implement the new lower speed limits is due to be made next Monday (October 14).

The county council report said it is considered that the 20mph speed limits in the village would make it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

It said: “It is acknowledged that opinions vary on 20mph speed limits. Some people strongly support them, whilst others are opposed.

“In the case of Willingham, there is opposition, but the number of objections received during the formal consultation (61) was less than the number received during the parish council’s informal consultation (79).

“20mph limits are widely used to encourage drivers to travel at lower speeds, particularly in residential areas where it is common for more vulnerable road users to be present.

“On addition, there are likely to be higher numbers of pedestrians and cyclists, who will feel safer and more confident if motorised vehicles are travelling at reduced speeds.

“20mph speed limits represent a relatively cost-effective way to improve road safety and encourage more sustainable modes of transport.”