Speed limit trial made permanent
Community-backed 20mph speed limit zones will continue to help improve road safety at five locations across Perth and Kinross – including in Comrie.
Members of Perth and Kinross Council’s environment and infrastructure committee agreed plans to make the speed reductions permanent at a meeting on Wednesday last week.
The five zones were part of a trial last year which aimed to identify what different road and signage worked best to improve road safety by reinforcing lower speed limits and changing driver behaviour.
Each site offered a different kind of road environment from rural to town and from residential to school zone.
For each trial four measures of reducing speeds were introduced on a phased basis, starting with installing 20mph signs, progressing to vehicle- activated signs which react to the speed of approaching vehicles, then physical traffic calming measures on the road known as speed cushions.
Finally, Police Scotland also carried out monitoring and enforcement activity.
The measures in Comrie centred on Dalginross.
Perth and Kinross Council said that the overall trial showed that physical traffic calming measures had the biggest impact on driver speeds.
And these will be combined with other measures, such as road signage and markings, as part of the permanent 20mph zones.
Committee convener Angus Forbes, a Conservative elected member for the Carse of Gowrie ward, said: “Road safety is a priority for the council and our communities.
“We receive numerous requests from residents for 20mph limits on roads within our area, in the hope that this will improve road safety.
“The trial has shown that the introduction of 20mph speed limits in the trial locations have on the whole been beneficial.
“Understandably there has been strong community support for the retention of the 20mph speed limits.
“It has also demonstrated that the introduction of a 20mph zone using signage alone is not always effective, particularly where averaged speeds are above 24mph.
“I welcome the installation of additional speed reduction measures to combat this.”
Feedback from the trial will now be used to inform future 20mph speed limit zones, helping to identify which additional traffic calming measures should be implemented to support the introduction of the new limits.
Gillian Brock, chair of Comrie Community Council, welcomed the move to implement permanent restrictions.
Mrs Brock lives on Dalginross and has seen at first-hand the effect they have had.
She said that, while most motorists are abiding by the limits, some have been seeking short cuts to avoid the speed cushions, and she would like to see other local roads being looked at now as well.
Mrs Brock commented: “I am delighted it’s going to be permanent but if I’m honest Dalginross has been slowed down because of the speed bumps.
“I live there and I think certain folk use Strowan Road to escape the bumps so it is possibly worth looking at introducing them there too.”
In addition to Dalginross, councillors also unanimously approved the permanent introduction of 20mph speed limits in Aberfeldy, Errol, Kinnesswood and outside Rattray Primary School.