20mph zones planned for town and village roads across Angus

Measures aiming to control safe exit from lockdown

A swathe of 20mph zones in Angus towns and villages are to be introduced to safely pace the county’s recovery out of the coronavirus pandemic.

The council hopes to secure nearly £800,000 of Scottish Government cash to put measures in place which will keep people distanced as communities reopen with the relaxation of lockdown restrictions.

Temporary 20mph limits will be applied in all seven Angus towns – but council roads chiefs are still to reveal their exact location.

Six-figure funding has also already been secured to lower the speed limit in Edzell, Friockheim and Liff.

The Sustrans-managed fund is designed to address public health issues during the transition out of the pandemic, as well as encouraging safe walking and cycling.

The authority has now made a £629,000 follow-up bid to ramp up its Spaces for People programme for temporary 20mph limits in six more villages – Glamis, Hillside, Kingsmuir, Letham, Newbigging and Newtyle – and

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This has undoubtedly got to be a silver lining to the Covid-19 cloud. COUNCILLOR MARK SALMOND

to fund physical measures including barriers and signs in every burgh to promote physical distancing in slow zones and around schools.

The council said 20mph areas will be detailed when temporary traffic regulation orders are published.

Angus communities convener Mark Salmond said: “These bids represent Angus Council’s determination to deliver measures that address the current and ongoing public health need to maintain safer social distances in our towns and villages.

“They are also designed to increase the already growing numbers of people who are walking and cycling during the coronavirus pandemic.”

The Montrose independent councillor added: “We want to support safer, healthier lifestyles through and beyond this public health crisis, by promoting active travel for day-to-day journeys.

“This has undoubtedly got to be a silver lining to the Covid-19 cloud.

“The Spaces for People is 100% grant funded and we are delighted to have already received news of our successful bids of £160,000.

“These are being progressed for delivery in July. We are also eagerly awaiting confirmation from Sustrans that we can progress with the detailing and delivery of £629,000 for further active travel and road safety interventions during this summer.”

Picture: Kim Cessford. Newtyle roads are earmarked for the temporary measures to lower the limit.