Default 20 limit ‘will put Scotland ahead of England on active travel’

SPEED LIMITS

Making 20mph the default speed limit for built-up roads in Scotland will reinforce the perception that the Scottish Government cares more about vulnerable road users than England, campaigners have told MSPs.

“We applaud the Scottish Government in progressing this Bill to its current stage,” 20’s Plenty for Us has told the Scottish Parliament’s rural economy and connectivity committee.  

“It provides a huge opportunity to align Scotland to what is becoming best practice across the world and especially in more socially aware countries. It aligns Scotland with such countries as Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Austria, Germany and Japan where 30km/h [18.6mph] is the accepted norm in communities whether urban or rural. 

“It will move Scotland away from the English model of inconsistent local setting of speed limits on built-up roads based on council priorities, values and empathy with communities.”

20’s Plenty says 20mph is the “correct and only appropriate limit for where motor vehicles mix with unsegregated pedestrians and cyclists”, adding that it is therefore “entirely appropriate to adopt this at national rather than local level”.

“Note that there is also a similar case for England,” says 20’s Plenty. 

“But with 153 diverse highway authorities and a Government that appears to have less empathy for active travel and vulnerable road users, this is progressing slower than in the devolved nations of Scotland and Wales.”