More than 400 West Lothian roads could become 20mph zones under new plans
Hundreds of roads in West Lothian could become 20mph zones under new plans, reducing speed limits in Livingston, Uphall Station and Pumpherston.
A report will be presented to the East Livingston and East Calder Local Area Committee on Thursday, detailing the strategy that is expected to ‘result in a reduction of road casualties in West Lothian’ and make ‘streets feel safer and encourage active travel’.
The initiative would see 447 roads with a 30mph speed limit change to 20mph. The council advised ‘most residential roads in West Lothian currently have advisory 20mph speed limits in place and these will be changed to mandatory 20mph speed limits.’
A consultation process will be in place for resident to share their views. Under the new plans Livingston would see 387 roads change from 30mph to 20mph, with 29 in Mid Calder and 31 in Uphall Station and Pumpherston.
Speed limits on link roads that ‘provide strategic public transport corridors’ will remain the same unless located near to schools and shopping areas, meaning ‘the impact on journey times should be minimal’. And roads with 40mph, 50mph and rural speed limits will also remain unchanged.
Research published by Transport Scotland found 90 per cent of pedestrians involved in a collision with a car would likely survive when a vehicle travelled at 20mph. The survival rate dropped to 60 per cent at 30mph and just 20 per cent at when a vehicle was travelling at 40mph.
The council report added: “Statistically the average person is seven times more likely to succumb to fatal injuries if they are in a collision with a vehicle at 30 mph than they are at 20mph. That is one of the major reasons why the Scottish Government is committed to implementing 20 mph speed limits, on appropriate public roads across the country.”
West Lothian Council advised the strategy is supported by Police Scotland who will enforce the new speed limits when they come into force and the project will be funded by Transport Scotland.