Scotland’s biggest city to bring in mass 20mph limits

A 20mph speed limit will be introduced on most roads in Glasgow to improve safety after plans were approved by the city council.

The speed limit will be brought in on all residential streets, the city centre, other main shopping areas and places where there are high levels of walking or cycling.

Under the policy, agreed yesterday, all other streets in the city would generally remain at 30mph, although the council said final arrangements would be subject to careful assessment.

Glasgow is following the lead of Edinburgh, which became the first city in Scotland to implement a network of roads with a 20mph speed limit, rolling it out from 2016 to 2018.

It is hoped the scheme, estimated to cost around £4.35 million, will reduce the risk of accidents, cut noise and congestion and encourage people to walk and cycle more.

Anna Richardson, city convener for sustainability and carbon reduction, said: “First and foremost, a city-wide 20mph speed limit is about improving road safety.

“It’s well known that lower speeds reduce the risk of accidents but also reduce the severity of any injuries suffered by those involved.

“Our own initial research on the impact of 20mph zones already in place in Glasgow is indicating a 31% reduction in incidents, which is hugely positive.”

More than 870 miles of the city’s 1,181 miles of roads are considered to be in residential areas and 179 miles of city streets already have a 20mph limit.