During previous village consultations, residents were concerned that a 20mph speed limit for the whole village would increase journey times and worsen traffic congestion, particularly on the entry roads to the village. In response, both versions of the new proposals for Burwell now exclude most of Ness Road, Swaffham Road and Newmarket Road.

The maximum length of the B1102 that would be changed to a 20mph limit under either scheme is 1 mile. Travelling that distance at 30mph takes 2 minutes, or 3 minutes at 20mph, making the total journey time 1 minute longer. However, it is rare these days for a driver to have a “clear run” through the village. It is more often a case of stop-start motoring following a procession of vehicles as they make their way through the village, which means the additional journey time will usually be less than a minute.

At busy times, analysis indicates it may even be a little quicker to drive in the village, because a 20mph limit makes better use of road space:

• Drivers have more time to assess other vehicles at road junctions, leading to improved flow rates (this would apply to Burwell Post Office crossroad)
• Reduced braking distances allowing cars to drive a little closer together
• Wherever visibility is poor, drivers can join the highway more safely and quickly (for example, cars joining the B1102 from the pharmacy forecourt near the S-bend)

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