the northern approach, Twentypence Road

Traffic enters Cottenham along Twentypence road after a fast run in from Wilburton. There are 40 mph signs but at present one is obscured, along with the one for the village but given the speed of the traffic and the absence of any other speed reduction measures most people ignore them anyway. There is a right turn into the business park where Mallory Oil has a substantial operation and this is followed by the first houses in the village on the left. The following turn to the right just where there’s a right hand turn to Smithy Fen is the first opportunity for the speeding motorist to test his or her mettle!

copyright Rick Bristow

It claimed another victim this week although fortunately no-one was hurt. It’s not the first time and it happens because people drive in at speed past Malory Oil and fail to take the bend by the turn off to Smith Fen. As you can see from the photo above this time the unlucky driver jumped the curb, went over the grass verge and through the hedge, destroyed about 25m fence and then demolished a live-stock shelter.

What’s ironic is that there is a village entry feature, a give way gate, but that is further into the village just before the Wooden House. It should be positioned out by Malory Oil where traffic equally needs to be slowed. perhaps it could be integrated with the markings on the road relating to the Malory Oil junction.