Bemused drivers are slowed by new signs DRIVERS in Cambourne may have been scratching their heads but they have been driving slower, according to the village's developers. Speed signs with a difference installed on the village's private roads urge drivers to keep within a 19 mph speed limit. There are currently around 20 speed restriction signs on Cambourne's roads, which developers describe as winding and difficult to gather speed on. Gail Taylor, press officer for the developers, said the new signs had an immediate and noticeable effect. She said: "The reason for having a 19 mile per hour limit is to attract attention to the signs as it is an unusual number." Despite the reported success of the scheme David Brace, team leader of traffic management at Cambridgeshire County Council, said the county council would not endorse the speed restriction. "At the moment the roads are privately-owned so it's up to the developers to impose whatever restrictions they want. "If the county council does adopt the roads we would not accept a speed limit which was not a conventional number," he added. Dr Donald Laming, senior university lecturer in Cambridge University's psychology department, said the idea worked on the same principle as the 99p pricing system in shops. He said: "If I see something for £12.99 I think it costs £13." He said he was not aware of any professional studies indicating the success of such tactics but his opinion, as a layman, was the signs might work and only studying drivers' behaviour would reveal the true picture. |