Safety fears over plea for 20mph limit

A NEW 20mph national speed limit is being proposed at a Scottish Governmentbacked conference today.

Campaigners are urging a Scotland-wide policy change that would see thousands of 30mph limits cut for every town, village and city, unless councils agree to make an exception in their area.

But those opposed to the scheme say it would be undemocratic and even lead to more accidents.

The case for blanket 20mph zones will be put forward in Edinburgh at an event organised by 20’s Plenty For Us, a not-forprofit campaign group.

Government body Transport Scotland has contributed £1,500 to the conference, partly though buying tickets for local authority delegates. The ability to set the national speed limit has been devolved to Holyrood as part of the Scotland Act 2016.

Rod King, founder of 20’s Plenty For Us, said: ‘The Scottish Government can do better than in England by making 20mph their national default limit as soon as possible.’ 20’s Plenty for Us says a reduced speed limit for the whole of Scotland would save money because several councils are already considering a reduction.

City of Edinburgh Council is implementing a city-wide 20mph zone in July, while Glasgow City Council is trialling a city centre scheme.

But an AA spokesman said 20mph zones are appropriate for some areas, such as outside schools and hospitals, but not as a blanket restriction. He added: ‘It should be for the residents to decide.’

Scottish Tory transport spokesman Alex Johnstone said: ‘Imposing a 20mph limit where higher speed limits may be more practical will only increase accidents, not reduce them.’

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: ‘We believe decisions on urban speed limits are best taken at local authority level, so there are no current plans to lower 30mph limit to 20mph on a national basis.’