I was disappointed to read Cllr Vellacott's comments about the 20mph speed limit in Ely (Community Contribution, Oct 31).  Just a few corrections, if I may.

While I have been regularly impressed in the past with the Conservative-led East Cambs District Council, the desperate clinging to this political line of opposition to Cambridgeshire County Council is wearing incredibly thin. 

They have been shouting and stamping their feet about their petition for months now.  Yet the number of signatories claiming to oppose the 20mph speed limit still has barely reached 10 per cent of the total population of Ely and the surrounding towns and villages. 

It certainly does not show anything anywhere near overwhelming opposition to safer driving.  I did not see on their petition a column for me to register my strong support of Ely's 20mph speed limit, but strongly support it I do, as do many others.

I would bet my car that I have driven in and around Ely far more often than Cllr Vellacott has.  Not once have I witnessed a "clogged up road" since the 20mph limit was introduced. 

Quite the opposite, in fact. The traffic flow is far calmer and free-flowing.  I have never been made late for an appointment by driving at a safer speed and I now arrive fresh and stress free. 

Since there are very few, if any, accompanying physical speed enforcement measures in Ely the 20mph does not "prevent ambulances going as fast as they need to" as Cllr Vellacott claims.

In the course of researching for a book I am currently writing on Road Safety I have had several detailed conversations with police safety officers from various forces on the subject of speed limits in residential areas. 

Car drivers and passengers may well feel and be much safer in modern cars with air bags and ABS brakes.  However, the changed design of bonnets and front wings, which are now higher with fewer curves, has led to an increase in crippling pelvic injuries in pedestrians. 

Accidents do happen and they always will sadly.  I would ask anybody walking in and around Ely whether they would prefer to be hit by a modern car at 30-something MPH or 20-something MPH?  Yep, thought so.

Cllr Vellacott adds that he "supports 20mph limits outside schools."  That is fantastic and 'thank you', but surely he remembers from not that long ago, when a school child walks to school most of that journey is actually NOT outside the school.  

Why do our school children not also deserve the same protection on the rest of their journey between school and home where they actually spend most of the journey time twice each day?

This is not a "war against motorists" as we hear so often.  That has become a tiresome political slogan. 

Slower speed limits in residential areas, particularly when enforced with various measures, protect pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists. 

In Haddenham we have several approaches to speed control and, with one stretch as an exception that is being addressed separately, they are successful. 

I would be happy to share our learnings with any council including Ely City Council so they do not need to re-invent the wheel. 

20mph limits are much needed and welcomed in residential areas and it should come as no surprise at all that there is a long list of parish councils requesting them.  Ask any of the shocked residents of Wilburton who are currently reeling from a recent speeding-related tragedy.

This is a deliberate political opposition campaign that has long since become tedious and off-putting.

It shows the downside of partisan politics at district and county level.  Please can the Conservative group swallow their pride, drop this campaign for faster driving in Ely and instead go back to running the district like they used to do, and still can do, so well without such distractions?

Cllr Stephen Thompson

Chairman, Haddenham Parish Council