Town centres aim to reduce traffic speeds to 20mph limit

Communities across Fife will have speed limits dropped to 20mph as part of a safety campaign.

Smaller towns and villages across the region, including Kelty, Torryburn and Newmills, are in line for reductions as part of a Fife Council programme.

Consultations will continue with other communities to determine if they are suitable.

More than 95% of residential and school areas in Fife have been designated 20mph zones since the scheme started.

Traffic surveys have shown that 83% of motorists now drive at less than 25mph on residential roads, compared with just 50% before.

Child casualties have reduced by almost 30% over the same period, while casualties overall have fallen by 20%.

Roads bosses say 20mph zones mean parents feel better about walking their children to school. There was also a 20% increase in the number of children cycling to school.

Steve Sellars, lead consultant for road safety, said: “Fife Council has been introducing 20mph zones within all residential streets, including around all schools.

“This programme commenced in 2003 and has introduced more than 400 discrete zones which has cost approximately £9 million, part of which was grant funded by the former Scottish Executive and the Scottish Government.”

He said larger towns “will be looked at dynamically” as communities and town centres change.

East Lothian recently announced it would not be introducing any more 20mph zones on its roads until a decision from the Scottish Government on lowering the speed limit nationally.