The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
City in bid for 20mph zone funds
Dundee City Council officers are following a lead from Glasgow’s local authority by seeking funding to extend 20mph zones within residential areas.
Council officers for Dundee are seeking funding from Sustrans after counterparts in Glasgow secured £2.6 million to deliver a “20mph residential speed limit” across the west coast city.
Sustrans is the custodian of the national cycle network and promotes other forms of sustainable and emissionsreducing transport.
West End councillors Fraser Macpherson and Michael Crichton asked roads officers to liaise with Glasgow City Council.
Dundee City Council’s senior manager in transportation explained current discussions.
He said: “We will continue to liaise with both Sustrans and Transport Scotland on future funding opportunities to accelerate the 20mph programme in Dundee.
“And we will also consider match funding requirements when reviewing the capital plan.
“On the back of Glasgow’s pilot scheme, we will submit a funding bid to Sustrans when the grant scheme is open next year.”
Glasgow’s residential roads are due to become default 20mph zones under a scheme running from 2024 to 2025.
Councillor Crichton said: “We welcome the council making a funding bid, as the council has to be proactive in achieving safer residential streets in Dundee.
“Dundee should follow Glasgow’s lead, and made an ambitious bid for external funding to supplement the council’s own budget,” he added.
His ward colleague Councillor Fraser Macpherson added: “At this rate the council’s 20mph programme will achieve some more areas before 2027.
“However, we have asked roads officers to bid for further external support to deliver safer, slower vehicles in residential areas, particularly where there are elderly residents and children out playing.”
Dundee should follow Glasgow’s lead