Edinburgh speed limits: 3,000 give views in consultation on more 20mph streets and lower limits on rural road

Edinburgh consultation open until February 8
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More than 3,000 people have so far responded to a consultation on whether a 20mph speed limit should be extended to more streets in Edinburgh and lower limits introduced on rural roads around the city.

The council plans an expansion of the 20mph cap, originally rolled out across the Capital between 2016 an 2018, when it even had its own super-hero mascot The Reducer. Among the streets where a new 20mph limit is proposed are parts of Ferry Road, Corstorphine Road, London Road, Colinton Road and Lanark Road West. If the plans go ahead it will mean around 90 per cent of the city's urban roads will be covered by 20mph limits.

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Latest figures provided by the council show 2,270 people have shared their views on whether or not streets should become 20mph zones, while 732 people have given their opinion on lower speed limits on rural roads. The consultation, launched in November, remains open until February 8 and the council is encouraging more people to have their say. People can comment on any street where changes are proposed, saying whether they think the speed limit should be lowered or stay the same. The council said respondents had so far flagged 3055 locations in relation to 20mph limits and 997 locations with reference to lower speed limits on rural roads.

The Reducer was the super-hero mascot of the new 20mph scheme when the lower speed limit was first rolled out to residential streets across Edinburgh.  Picture: Greg Macvean.The Reducer was the super-hero mascot of the new 20mph scheme when the lower speed limit was first rolled out to residential streets across Edinburgh.  Picture: Greg Macvean.
The Reducer was the super-hero mascot of the new 20mph scheme when the lower speed limit was first rolled out to residential streets across Edinburgh. Picture: Greg Macvean.

The criteria for cutting the permitted speed to 20mph included whether streets had higher density housing such as flats or terraced properties, or groups of shops, and whether there were likely to be higher numbers of people walking or cycling, for example near a hospital or university campus.

The proposals for lowering rural speed limits cover roads near Currie, Balerno, Ratho, Queensferry and Kirkliston, as well as those outside the city bypass, near the airport and around Newbridge. The normal speed limit on two-lane rural roads would be cut from 60mph to 40mph, while most minor country lanes would have a 30mph limit and there would be 20mph limits through rural hamlets and also on a small number of minor lanes that are the most used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

As part of the consultation, the council has arranged a series of drop-in sessions for the public to learn more about the proposals. The next will be at Portobello Library on Wednesday 25 January, 11am-1 pm.

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Transport convener Scott Arthur said: “Making the city safer is a matter for everyone so I’m pleased so many people have already shared their views on our proposals for slower, safer speeds on our roads. I know the appetite for lower speed limits is continuing to grow, especially following the roll-out of 20mph speed limits across the city in 2018. Since then the benefits have been made clear – independent experts said the number of casualties and road traffic collisions have dropped as a result of the current 20mph scheme, and we can all see the change has created more relaxing streets to live in, visit and spend time in. There’s still plenty of time to share your views in the online consultation online, or come along to one of the drop-in events to find out more.”