Committee hears concerns of Coupar campaigners

A proposed 20mph speed limit strategy for Perth and Kinross has been described as “fundamentally flawed” by concerned Coupar Angus residents. a restriction”.

And, with the shock of the tragic death of toddler Harlow Edwards in Coupar Angus still reverberating around the community, a group of residents from the town – including Harlow’s grieving family – attended the meeting to call for a more stringent approach to slowing down traffic in built-up areas.

The group called for an increase in 20mph zones - saying speed limits should be backed up with other traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps and chicanes.

Coupar Angus resident and former community councillor, Michael Gallagher, told the meeting: “The draft 20mph speed limit strategy is fundamentally flawed.

“It only discusses 20mph speed limits. There are no mentions of 20mph zones, which are defined as ‘speed limits with the addition of other traffic calming measures such as speed cushions and chicanes.’

“Section 1.5 of the draft policy suggests that widespread 20mph limits would be ignored.

“This flies in the face of the available evidence.

“For example, Section 62 of Appendix One says that areawide 20mph limits in Portsmouth - without any additional traffic cameras - has led to a drop in accidents and casualties and traffic speeds.

He continued: “When 20mph limits are combined with other traffic calming measures such as speed bumps and chicanes, the improvement is even more dramatic.

“The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says that the introduction of 20mph zones in Hull reduced fatal and serious injuries by 90 per cent and pedestrian casualties by 74 per cent.

“Since 2003, Fife Council has rolled out 20mph zones to almost all residential streets.

“The case for area-wide 20mph zones, with additional traffic calming, is overwhelming.”

Councillor Willie Robertson requested the paper be amended to incorporate the condition that 20mph zones be created where appropriate.

This was agreed unanimously by the committee.

Councillor Dave Doogan noted that while he was reassured by the amendment, he expressed concern about a potential rise in the use of electronic vehicles in the near future.

Councillor Doogan stated that such cars approach silently, and that this presented another hazard which would need to be considered in time.

His comments were noted by Charles Haggart, the local authority’s traffic and roads network manager, although Mr Haggart said he was “no expert” on the new technology and added consideration of electronic cars was not part of the local authority’s strategy.