Five areas to roll out Scots city-wide 20mph speed limit revealed
A NEW city-wide 20mph speed limit is set to be rolled out across Glasgow - impacting almost 4,000 streets.
Back in 2020, the city council approved a policy that would see a mandatory 20mph speed limit become the standard for all residential streets.
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New 20mph speed limits will be rolled out across Glasgow
Credit: Getty
It would also cover the city centre and other main shopping areas, or where there are high levels of walking, wheeling or cycling.
Other streets in the city would generally remain at 30mph.
And last year, council chiefs analysed a total of 5,740 streets to determine exactly which streets should have 20mph or 30mph speed limit.
At the time, they said that the safer speed restrictions would encourage more people not to drive in quieter and less congested neighbourhoods.
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And now it has been revealed that it will be imposed in five different areas across the city first, as it rolled out in phases.
Phase one will see the 20mph speed restriction introduced in Govan, Southside Central, Calton, East Central and Shettleston by the end of the year.
Moving to 20mph is a technically complex undertaking and the council has been working to identify the best mechanisms to take this work forward
Councillor Angus Millar
For specific streets in these areas, locals will have to look at an online 'dashboard' to find out what the speed limit is.
According to STV News, 1,300 streets in Glasgow already have a speed limit of 20mph, and a further 650 will stay at 30mph.
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And it was found that fatalities from crashes in 20mph zones were down by 62 per cent.
While the number of serious injuries had dropped by 32 per cent and the number of minor injuries decreased by 31 per cent.
Drivers are only just realising why some speed limit signs are green
Councillors revealed the figures at the most recent Safe Glasgow Partnership meeting.
And they stressed that they showed why it is important to introduce a 20mph speed limit across the county.
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A council paper stated that the new limit would 'improve road safety, reduce traffic speeds and support healthier, more liveable neighbourhoods.'
It added that the local authority had presented the plans to representatives from over 30 European cities.
This was in a bid to 'showcase Glasgow's leadership in urban speed management.'
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A council official told STV News: 'There is going to be an online dashboard that the public can access to see how speed is reducing in their area.
'It will be introduced in phases throughout the city. Phase one is Govan, Southside Central, Calton, East Central and Shettleston.'
Councillor Angus Millar, City Convener for Climate and Transport, previously told the Scottish Sun: "A citywide 20mph speed limit will bring Glasgow in line with many other UK cities and help to create safer streets and communities for all of us, reducing the risk of accidents and the severity of injuries sustained.
"Reducing the impact of traffic on communities will also contribute to the wider shift needed towards more sustainable forms of transport, which is vital if we are to achieve our target of Glasgow becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
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HUGE ROLLOUT
IN OCTOBER last year, we told how changes to the speed limit are set to be rolled out across Scotland after councils were given new cash to make the country's roads more safe.
Scotland's 32 local authorities will share £14 million from the Scottish Government as part of the move - and some of the cash will be used to lower speed limits.
Around £4 million of which will go towards rolling out 20mph limits on more roads.
The Government also released an implementation guide to introducing the new speed limit, which emphasised having "comprehensive" consultations with affected residents.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop warned road deaths this year are tracking 26% above the same period in 2023.
She said: "Road safety is a top priority for the Scottish Government, which is why we are making a record investment of £36 million this financial year toward initiatives that reduce road casualties.
"This £14 million investment underlines our commitment to supporting our road safety partners to 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."
"We know that many other cities have a 20mph speed limit and the evidence that's been gathered shows a minimal impact on the journey times for cars and buses.
"Reduced speed limits on local roads can help create a safer environment for children and other vulnerable road users, while encouraging more people to walk, wheel and cycle.
"Moving to 20mph is a technically complex undertaking and the council has been working with national partners to identify the best mechanisms to take this work forward."
Karen McGregor, Scotland Director at Sustrans, added: "Sustrans is delighted to support Glasgow City Council and communities across the city with making this positive change.
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"Time and time again, the evidence has shown that lowering speed limits in our built-up areas creates neighbourhoods that are safer for everyone.
"And that this makes the biggest positive difference for our most vulnerable people such as children, older people and those living with disability."
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