More 20mph zones could be rolled out

MORE 20mph zones could be on the horizon in Dundee after a study found the widespread introduction of slower driving speeds elsewhere has led to fewer accidents.

Councillor Mark Flynn, Dundee City Council’s city development convener, has said the council is “preparing a programme” to roll out more 20mph zones after the success of those introduced during lockdown.

Specific locations have yet to be disclosed.

The announcement comes after a study found the widespread adoption of 20mph on residential roads has resulted in fewer accidents in Edinburgh, according to researchers from St Andrews, Edinburgh, East Anglia and Cambridge universities.

The monthly average of road traffic collisions in the capital fell to 64 in 2018 from 165 in 1997.

The study led to West End councillor

Fraser Macpherson calling on the local authority to create a greater rollout of the scheme in the city.

Lower speed limits were adopted in streets including Magdalen Yard Road and Strawberry Bank last year after a successful Spaces for People bid by the council.

Mr Macpherson said: “These research findings about zones in Edinburgh is proof that a 20mph rollout has resulted in significantly fewer accidents.

“Edinburgh Council has led the way introducing 20mph zones over wide areas of residential streets and Dundee should not be behind the curve on this.”

National road safety charity Brake highlighted the greater safety of slower cars on city streets.

Joshua Harris, director of campaigns with Brake, said: “20mph is the right speed limit for roads in busy areas, where people may be walking or cycling in close proximity to motor traffic.

“A crash at 30mph has twice the energy and destructive potential of a crash at 20mph.

“As in Dundee, more and more communities across Scotland and the whole UK are adopting 20mph limits but we want to see them be made the national default so that they become the norm, not the exception.

“Every road death and serious injury is a preventable tragedy and one which can devastate individuals, families and whole communities.”

Residents of a Coldside road battled for years to have a 20mph limit adopted on their street. Ann Kelly and Lesley Connelly were among the campaigners who fought for greater road safety at Johnston Avenue.

Both said they would welcome a greater rollout of the scheme elsewhere in the city after seeing some positives since it was implemented on their street in 2018.

In a joint statement, they said: “It hasn’t completely solved the problem of speeding, but it has helped a bit.

“There are always going to be some bad drivers, but if 20mph becomes the norm then that will help with general driver behaviour.”