CEN article: Mill Road at number three in the rankings of 195 accident blackspots in Cambridgeshire
The Cambridge Evening News has today revealed that Mill Road is at number three in the rankings of 195 accident blackspots in Cambridgeshire. Sixty per cent of the accidents involved cyclists.
There have been 86 injury accidents on either side of the bridge in the last three years.
Here is the article in full:
Mill Road faces 20mph speed limit
Mill Road’s speed limit could be reduced to 20 mph.
SPEED cameras could be coming to a Cambridge street which has one of the worst accident records in the county.
The £400,000 high-tech camera system and a 20mph speed limit could be installed in Mill Road after 86 injury accidents on either side of the bridge in the last three years.
The accident rate puts Mill Road at number three in the rankings of 195 accident blackspots in Cambridgeshire. Sixty per cent of the accidents involved cyclists.
The Watchman cameras, which use number plate recognition technology, would record anyone who goes over the speed limit and also film traffic on the street – keeping an eye on cyclists and walkers as well as cars.
Up to 11 cameras could go along the mile-long stretch.
Anyone caught speeding would be sent a warning letter.
But if officers spot the same people repeatedly breaking the limit, they could get a knock on the door from the police.
Non-motorists could also fall foul of the cameras, such as children who do not use pedestrian crossings to cross the road, who may get a visit to their school.
People will be asked what they think of the scheme, which still needs funding and, if it goes ahead, would not be in place until 2009.
Today (Thursday, 13 December), councillors said they were not sure the high-tech system was the answer.
Coun Catherine Smart, Romsey, said: “At this time of year I’m very, very conscious that the lighting on the Romsey part of Mill Road is way below the standard of the other side of the bridge. We have been campaigning for a long time to get that improved.
“I wonder how far it is bad lighting and whether it would be better to think of that first. It’s true Mill Road is not an easy road but whether speed is the issue, I’m not sure. Certainly we want fewer accidents on Mill Road.
“If it’s going out to consultation we will see what people think.”
Coun Ben Bradnack, Petersfield, queried the expense.
He said: “I’m not hostile to it. It’s a recommendation which first of all came from the residents quite a long time ago.
“It’s more use in relation to Tenison Road than Mill Road. The possibility of driving at more than 20 mph on Mill Road is pretty slight with the present situation of lighting, illegal parking and the narrowness all the way along.
“I don’t think it’s going to be easy, in my experience, to enforce 20mph. I’m not sure how good value for money it represents.”
Cambridgeshire County Council said the same scheme had been used elsewhere in the country and had halved accidents in Manchester.
Councillors will be asked to approve the scheme at a cabinet meeting on December 18. It will then go out for public consultation.
Coun Mac McGuire, lead member for highways and transport, said: “This is a very busy and narrow road in Cambridge and it is clear that a targeted and flexible solution is needed to reduce the high number of people tragically hurt here.
“Reducing the speed limit would help but this needs to be enforced and in a way where other offences can also be recorded.
“This new system has worked well in the Manchester area, cutting accidents by 50 per cent in one case.
“If cabinet backs this then we will carry out consultation on the plans as they emerge to make sure we have the right solution.”
Cambridge Evening News, 14th December 2007
