Safer Streets says it hopes Scottish Government experiment is extended
A charity campaigning for streets to be made safer to encourage people to walk has praised a Scottish Government initiative to reduce speed limits to 20mph on some roads.
The new speed limit will be introduced on main routes in five towns as a road safety experiment, the Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency announced on Wednesday.
The first, on the A77 at Maybole in Ayrshire, starts on Monday, with Largs, Biggar, Langholm and Oban to follow.
The move is the first involving trunk roads in Scotland other than around schools.
Stuart Hay Scotland director of Living Streets said: “20mph zones are the single biggest measure that will reduce road danger and improve the walking environment on our streets.
“Evidence suggests that 20mph speed limits are popular when they come into force and are especially important for bringing safety measures to vulnerable road users.
“Well done to Transport Scotland and the communities that have campaigned for lower speed limits.
“This is the first time such a limit will be introduced to a trunk road in Scotland and it will bring major improvements to the walking environment.
“We look forward to the results of this pilot and hope it will support further roll-out across the trunk road network.”
