Concerns have been shared that the 20mph speed limits introduced across Ramsey and Bury have actually made the roads “more dangerous".

Cambridgeshire County Council agreed to introduce a 20mph zones in November last year.

The scheme was one of a number being implemented and worked on by the authority as part of its plans to introduce 20mph speed limits on a “widespread basis across Cambridgeshire”.

In a report published ahead of the decision on the Ramsey 20mph zone being made, the county council said the lower speeds would help “improve road safety and can have quality of life and community benefits”.

However, some in the town have said they feel no safer since the new speed limits were introduced.

Some people have also said that not many people are sticking to speed limit.

Nicola Wilcox said she had safety concerns caused by people not following the lower speed limit.

She said: “From my experience, I think because some people stick to it religiously and other people ignore it, it is causing more near misses than before.

Ms Wilcox said she believed 20mph speed limits were a good idea outside schools and at junctions where there have been previous issues.

However, she said the low speed limit on some more main roads “just frustrates people”, which she said led to some driving badly.

She said: “I think it is not working as it is, either it needs full enforcement and we deal with driving slowly, or there needs to be a full review to make it more targeted.”

David Lewis said he would also support a more targeted approach to where the 20mph speed limit applied.

He said: “In some places it is good, but in some places it is unnecessary. The main road going into Ramsey does not need it.

“I think [the 20mph zone] should be modified, the problem is they made it everywhere when they did not need to, the main road does not need to be 20mph coming from Bury to Ramsey, and you cannot speed in the town centre anyway.”

A number of people said they supported a 20mph speed limit outside of schools, but overall wanted to see the previous 30mph speed limits reintroduced.

Enid Jackson said: “[The 20mph zone] is not a lot of good, I do not agree with it really.

“I can understand by schools, that is different to having it on a main road. Not many people do 20mph to be honest and it feels no safer.

“I would like to see it go back to 30mph, keep it 20mph by the schools and places like that, but 30mph is plenty really.”

Tara Heywood said she had lived in the town for 21 years and had not known there to be issues that needed to be addressed with the 20mph speed limits.

She said the scheme was “rubbish” and that the speed limit should be returned to 30mph.

A spokesperson for the county council said: “The Ramsey 20mph zone was approved following a consultation as part of the Traffic Regulation Order process.

“Local councillors reviewed the feedback, Ramsey Town Council confirmed support for the scheme and it was agreed to introduce the new speed limit.

“Studies have shown even a 1mph drop in speed reduces collisions by six per cent.

“Reducing speed limits from 30mph to 20mph can cut pollution by 30 per cent and reduce the chance of a severe or fatal injury in the event of a collision by a staggering 60 per cent.

“In areas where lower speed limits are introduced, people also become more confident to go out walking and cycling, or use other forms of non-motorised transport.

“We will be reviewing the impacts of the overall 20mph programme, which will include Ramsey, and bringing back a report to the highways and transport committee in two years.”