Press Release

24 April 2007

MP’s Survey Reveals Massive Public Support For Road Safety Action

An interactive survey conducted by South East Cambridgeshire MP Jim Paice has revealed significant levels of public support for measures to improve road safety in Cambridgeshire.

The results, which have been passed to the chief executive of Cambridgeshire County Council, Ian Stewart, and Cambridgeshire Chief Constable Julie Spence, reveal:

• 75% back a 50mph speed limit on the A1307 between Abington and Haverhill 

• 73% support more speed cameras on the A1307 (with a majority preferring average speed cameras)

• 74% want a ban on lorries overtaking on the A14 

• 81% support a reduction of the speed limit through villages from 40mph to 30mph 

These results follow the disclosure to Jim of official figures which reveal that on the A1307 between Haverhill and Abington in the last year for which figures are available:

• The number of accidents is 37% higher than the previous year and has more than doubled since 1996.

• The accident rate was 42% higher than the previous year and 74% higher than 1996.

• Between 1996 and 2005 there were 280 accidents, injuring 429 people and killing 17.

Jim said: “These figures and the results of my survey send a clear message to the authorities that something must be done to improve road safety on the A1307.

“The situation is even worse than these figures show, as they do not include the last 12 months when we know there have been a number of further fatalities.

“Lowering the speed limit along the road has to be given serious consideration but this will only be effective if it is properly enforced.”

Jim will be discussing this issue at a meeting with Cambridgeshire Chief Constable Julie Spence on Friday 27th April.

Local councillor Richard Barrett said: "Thanks should go to Jim for continuing to keep pressing for improvements to this road and to all the local residents who have taken time to fill in the survey. Hopefully now we will be able to get some urgent action." 

South Cambridgeshire councillor Vicky Ford said: "Quite simply this is the single biggest issue for people living in villages along the road. People want safety improvements and are fed up with being told there is not enough money from central government. We are a growing part of the country and need money for infrastructure improvements. There have been some mobile speed cameras but this is not enough. I hope we will be able to work with local people, the highways team and the police to reduce speed and therefore reduce accidents."