Letters to the Editor

Proposed 20mph Scheme in Meldreth

The following letters were received following Roger Wallbridge’s letter in the July issue of Meldreth Matters. Please refer also to the Parish Council summary on pages 21-22.

I attended the meeting on 13th April and am in complete agreement with the points made by Roger Wallbridge in the July issue of MM. A village referendum should certainly be held on this matter as, one way or another, it affects everyone in Meldreth. If a 20mph limit were to come into being I believe that there are those who would then press for other measures, such as carriageway restrictions, speed bumps and more signage. Speed bumps are unnecessary, uncomfortable and, thanks to the extra braking and acceleration involved, also add to pollution. Extra signage and bollards would lead to Meldreth looking like a suburb, rather than a pleasant village: do we really want that?

I am a member of Community Speedwatch and would no longer take part if a 20mph limit were to be introduced; I believe that other members of the Group would take a similar view.

David Smith

I was intrigued by Roger Wallbridge’s letter “20 mph Limit in Meldreth” (MM July 2023). Having lived in Meldreth some years ago and still given to driving through the village, I share a keen interest in whether the residents there will adopt a lower speed limit for the roads that pass through the parish. I now live in Bassingbourn, where a 20 mph limit is in effect, and motorists are managing it, for better or worse.

Assessing the effectiveness of a recent regulation change is challenging. However, I have observed that during certain times, such as the school run, there seems to be a tendency for traffic to move more slowly. When a few drivers adhere to the statutory speed, their fellow motorists, whether they like it or not, tend to follow suit. Over time, this leads to a change in overall behaviour, and more drivers adjust their speeds. Some argue that this “knock-on effect” has also reduced speeds in the designated 30 mph zones. Slowing down traffic may result in some regular users altering their journey times, which extends the peak usage period but allows for smoother travel, as most motorists dislike constant stops and starts.

I deliberately refrain from commenting on Mr. Wallbridge’s six points, as collectively they raise valid concerns that might justify retaining the current limits. If we acknowledge that excessive speed can be fatal, we must implement measures that encourage behavioural change. That cannot happen if we do nothing.

Given the exponential increase in car ownership over the years, the paramount need is to enhance the well-being of residents, pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users, both on and off the road, while ensuring motorists’ safety in the future. A lower speed limit can promote active alternatives such as walking or cycling, as people feel safer on and around the roads.

Meldreth, with its charming village atmosphere, splendid rural properties, and a community that supports and appears to integrate with one another, can benefit from safer roads that foster healthier lifestyles. This will enable residents to feel more at ease in public spaces, allowing the village to continue its tradition of strong belonging and exemplary community spirit.

John Bell

to your life

Whatever your hearing difficulty, angli-EAR Hearing uses the most up-to-date tests and equipment to find the best solution for you.

01223 661399 www.angliearhearing.co.uk BOOK info@angliearhearing.co.uk

Station Ticket Office Closures

Meldreth Station and Train Operators’ Announcement on Nationwide Station Ticket Office Closures

We were very disappointed that the rail industry announcement on closure of ticket offices came in early July and closes late July – a short period that has not allowed us to share the information in village newsletters.

Please note that the proposal is NOT to close station premises - waiting rooms, toilets, etc – at Meldreth or any other station, but rather to deploy staff currently selling tickets behind a counter to a different set of responsibilities on site, and at the same hours that ticket offices are currently open. So, staff would be present to assist passengers with any manner of help needed, including buying tickets from the machine, and future trip planning. One of the reasons for the proposal is that generally more tickets are sold from machines and the call on behind the counter ticket sales is dropping.

What we are concerned about is any diminishing of confidence in using the railway, especially for anyone who doesn’t use automated machines, or doesn’t have access to a smart phone or the internet for travel planning. We will be asking for a clear convincing picture as to how those people will be genuinely served and supported, especially given that station staff will not have access to computers for journey planning.

We know that Meldreth Station is special – offering such a personal and warm welcome – and that human presence is cherished.

Please let us know your views because we have an ongoing conversation with our rail colleagues and will be pushing to get and keep the best for Meldreth Station, our only staffed station between Royston and Cambridge.

Susan van de Ven and Sarah Grove

Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Community Rail Partnership sarahgrove.msfcrp@gmail.com, susan.vandeven@cambridgeshire.gov.uk