The Scottish Government has committed £14m this financial year to Scotland’s 32 councils to enhance road safety, with £4m dedicated to the roll-out of 20mph limits.
Transport Scotland said the 20mph cash will fund 'targeted initiatives specifically designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists at key locations across Scotland through the roll-out of 20mph speed limits'.
A 20mph guide
It has also published a new 20mph Implementation Guide to support these efforts.
'This will ensure a consistent and effective approach to implementing 20mph limits, fostering safer environments in communities across the country,' officials said.
Transport Scotland added that 'comprehensive evaluations will be carried out on all schemes to measure their impact on road safety'.
The guidance states: 'Reducing vehicle speeds in areas where the road user mix includes a high volume of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, and on non-divided rural roads, is especially important.'
It also restated the 20mph assessment criteria that were created to support local road authorities from June 2022. This includes the following points:
- Is the road within 100 metres of any educational setting?
- Does the number of residential and/or retail premises fronting the road exceed 20 over a continuous road length of between 400–600 metres?
- Is the road within 100 metres walk of an area of public interest such as a community centre, place of worship, sports facility, play park, hospital, GP, or health centre?
- Does the composition of road users imply a lower speed of 20mph will improve the conditions and facilities for vulnerable road users and other mode shift? (Road authorities should also consider future schemes and road users)
- Will the surrounding environment and the community be improved by a lower speed limit of 20mph e.g. quality of life, social cohesiveness, severance, noise, or air quality, active travel?
Transport Scotland concludes: 'The presumption is that all 30 mph roads are appropriate for a lower speed limit of 20 mph. However, there will be some anomalies, where roads meet the criteria but are not appropriate and others which do not meet the place criteria but are appropriate for a 20 mph speed limit. This is where local knowledge and community feedback is key to setting the most appropriate speed limit for the environment.
'In general, a road suitable to remain at 30 mph will typically be on A and B Class roads with little frontage activity and where people walking, wheeling, and cycling do not need to share space with motor traffic.'
It adds: 'A minimum road length for the speed limit is suggested between 400-600 m. The length adopted will depend on the conditions at or beyond the end points.'
Remaining funding
The remaining £10m of the £14 for local roads will be allocated through the Road Safety Improvement Fund (RSIF) to support critical safety schemes designed to lower risks and reduce casualties.
A further £18m is allocated to the overall road safety funding envelope, transport secretary Fiona Hyslop suggested.
Ms Hyslop said: 'Road safety is a top priority for the Scottish Government, which is why we are making a record investment of £36m this financial year toward initiatives that reduce road casualties.
'This £14m [local] investment underlines our commitment to supporting our road safety partners implement schemes that protect the public. I’m pleased to see all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities receive this support as we work toward our ambitious safety goals.
'The release of our 20mph Implementation Guide will help local authorities introduce lower speed limits consistently across Scotland, creating safer streets for everyone.
'Our goal of making Scotland’s roads the safest in the world by 2030 is unwavering.'
Ewan Wallace, chair of the Society of Chief Officers for Transportation in Scotland said: 'As the local roads authorities and regional transport partnerships we recognise our key role in ensuring that collaboration happens and makes a real difference in our communities.
'The allocation of RSIF budget allows us to deliver physical work and provide education and training to our key people.'
Ms Hyslop and Mr Wallace will both be speaking at Road-Expo Scotland, which runs from 27-28 November at the SEC Glasgow
