Slower limit is the right step
As we make progress through the stages of easing lockdown that the Scottish Government set out last month, we’ll likely start to see lots of non-essential shops and businesses open their doors again for the first time in a while.
Of course, things won’t be completely back to normal for some time, careful social distancing and hygiene measures will have to be in place to ensure the safety of both workers and customers.
We can expect Perth’s High Street to come back to life as the restrictions ease and I’m pleased that when it does the speed limit in the city centre will have been reduced to 20mph.
Perth and Kinross Council recently announced the new speed limit, down from 30mph, will come into force immediately and apply for the next 18 months.
It is a change I’ve been campaigning for and while last year the SNP and Tories rejected my bill at Holyrood which would have reduced the speed limit in built up areas to 20mph across the country, I’m glad Perth and Kinross council have made a step in the right direction.
When I carried out a consultation on my bill organisations like NHS Health Scotland, Transform Scotland and a whole host of local authorities offered their full support.
NHS Health Scotland specifically highlighted the health benefits for children and elderly pedestrians.
Perth has now caught up with councils like Fife, Glasgow and Edinburgh where urban streets have had the lower limit in force for a while now.
It’s a really important step towards making Perth city centre’s streets safer for pedestrians, and the increased number of cyclists, and it will be good for the environment.
Research has shown that reducing speed limits from 30mph to 20mph typically results in more than 20 per cent fewer casualties.
When accidents do happen, they are significantly less likely to be fatal if they take place at lower speeds.
That means that everyone will now be safer and more comfortable when spending time in Perth city centre.
In the past there’s been some objections from business owners who were worried that the speed limit reduction would have a negative impact on their custom.
Obviously, I understand these concerns. There are many excellent local independent traders in
Perth who rely on footfall for their income, but rather than harm their business a 20mph limit is likely to be beneficial.
Cities across the UK and Europe have found time and time again that pedestrianisation and reduced speed limits are good for business.
Free from dangerous vehicles whizzing past, the city centre becomes somewhere pleasant to spend time rather than somewhere you go because you need to.
Research also shows that support for 20mph spikes after implementation and people and businesses begin to see the benefits.
This is a good move for Perth’s people and businesses, and the council should press on with the work to make the lower limit permanent.
The car can’t be king forever and making Perth a place for people will bring benefits that should last well beyond the current crisis.