Council urged to get serious with speed limit plan

DUNDEE’S 20mph speed limit proposals have been dismissed as “not ambitious enough” by a leading campaign group, which fears they will do little to protect city residents.

Consultation over whether to introduce 20mph speed limits on residential streets in the city has closed but while charity Living Streets believes the plans are a step in the right direction it has criticised the city council for lacking the ambition of proposals for other Scottish cities.

The UK charity branded Dundee a “car sick city” and said the proposals failed some of its most vulnerable communities.

Director Stuart Hay has challenged city leaders to get serious about lowering speeds to not only improve road safety but also to improve the health of the city’s people.

Mr Hay said: “Focusing on the residential neighbourhoods and failing to also target busy pedestrian areas where people work and shop is much less ambitious than in Edinburgh or Glasgow.

“Dundee is a car-sick city where more than a quarter of people don’t travel anywhere on foot — 20mph should be seen as an important step to getting Dundee more active.”

Consultation on the merits of introducing 20mph speed limits on roads in residential areas throughout the city. Hundreds of roads would be affected, though principal roads such as Perth Road, the Kingsway, Lochee Road and t he A92 Tay Road Bridge would be exempt.

A spokesman f or t he council said responses to the consultation will have to be studied before firm proposals are put before councillors.