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Edinburgh embarks on 20mph scheme rollout

Edinburgh Council has launched the first zone in the capital’s new 20mph limit rollout.

Edinburgh’s multi-million pound 20mph scheme will affect more than 80% of the city’s roads

Edinburgh’s multi-million pound 20mph scheme will affect more than 80% of the city’s roads

Around 50% of Edinburgh’s streets already have a 20mph limit. Approved by councillors in January 2015 following public consultation, the project extends 20mph speed limits to approximately 80% of Edinburgh’s streets.

The first of the new schemes went live yesterday (Sunday 31 July) and covers all residential, shopping and city centre streets in the capital under a Traffic Regulation. A further five zones will be rolled out up to 31 January 2018.

Chief Inspector Mark Rennie of Police Scotland said: “We remain committed to casualty reduction on our roads and whenever we observe motorists disobeying the 20mph speed limit, or where the public tell us there is an ongoing problem, we will respond appropriately.

“Changes to road layouts, proper signage and continued engagement with the public are the keys to ensuring the speed limit is adhered to, however, police will give due attention to areas around schools to ensure public safety.”

In response, IAM RoadSmart says it is unconvinced of the value of the scheme.

Neil Greig, policy and research director, said: “It’s a blanket approach. On some streets, 20mph is a speed that you might aspire to rather than need to limit yourself to. But there are others where it looks and feels safer to go over 20, and that’s potentially confusing because drivers take their cue from the environment.

“If you look at the evidence, what seems to work is measures like speed bumps and narrower roads. Covering whole areas in one 20mph limit and putting up some signs is a cheap way to do it. We’d rather see investment made in dealing with the streets where there will be the most benefit.”

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.