A meeting was held today to discuss the options for improving signage of the 20mph speed limit along Maids Causeway/Newmarket Road.  Cllrs Sarah Whitebread and Colin Rosenstiel, local residents Hugh Kellett and John Lawton and staff from the County and City Council were there, along with Clive Holgate from the police and local blogger Richard Taylor.

The budget of £7,500 is not enough for anything radical, but improved signs and coloured road surfacing at both entrance points (Elizabeth Way and Victoria Avenue) will be possible.  It is also suggested that repeater roundels are painted at points along the road.

There was some discussion about how suitable bright red and white roundels on the road would be given the historic city centre setting.  Similarly, the new road signs could have a bright yellow backing – making them easier to see, but also possibly quite visually intrusive.  Richard Taylor has tweeted a photo of one of the suggestions – see here.

Local councillors are keen to hear the views of residents on these plans.  Council staff are now going to work up a couple of different options for residents feedback.  The consultation will be through a letter drop in nearby streets, and online via the city council website.  Assuming this goes to time, we should be in a position to make a final decision on what goes ahead by December.

Sarah will keep residents informed as the project progresses.

Cllr Sarah Whitebread has been working for some time with residents groups and the city and county council to improve signage of the 20mph limit along Maids Causeway and Newmarket Road.  £7,000 of joint City and County Council funding has been allocated to this work, and a meeting is going to be held on the 27th September at 5.15pm in the Guildhall, Room 3, to discuss the detailed plans.  Sarah and fellow ward councillor Colin Rosenstiel will be there, along with representatives from the Brunswick and North Kite residents Association (Brunk), the Cycling Campaign and the Police.  City and County Council staff will also be there.  Anyone is welcome to attend this meeting – if you would like to come, please let Sarah know via email (swhitebreadATgmail.com) so that we have an idea of numbers.

Improvements will likely involve larger repeater signs, on road roundels, and measures to increase the prominence of signage at the boundaries of the limit.  At the time of writing councillors have not yet seen detailed plans.

Sarah commented “This meeting is the next stage in what has been a rather lengthy process.  I hope we will agree on new signs that all parties involved are happy with.  I am particularly pleased we have secured involvement from the Police.  It is important that they feel the signs are adequate and start properly enforcing the limit.”

The new public artwork to celebrate the life and achievements of Snowy Farr will be unveiled next Tuesday, 7th August at 4.30pm outside the Guildhall.  The sculpture, designed by artist Gary Webb, was chosen from five shortlisted concept proposals.

The sculpture will be unveiled by Cambridge’s Mayor, Sheila Stuart.