Call to cut speed limits on all urban roads

Published on Tuesday 24 November 2009 21:50

SPEED limits should be cut to 20mph on residential streets to encourage more people to cycle, campaigners urged MSPs yesterday.

Cycling groups said the move was vital to make cyclists feel safer and reduce the danger from other vehicles.

The proposals received backing from Glasgow City Council, which described the plan as a "key priority".

However, motoring groups said such blanket lower limits were unenforceable and should be focused on specific areas.

They said cities such as Hull, Oxford and Portsmouth had introduced extensive 20mph zones, but enforcing the limit had been a problem.

Peter Hawkins, of the Cycle Touring Club Scotland, said: "Cycling is hard to promote to non-cyclists because it appears unsafe because of the behaviour of drivers.

"Twenty miles per hour should be the norm for all residential streets and a maximum of 30mph on main roads. Enforcement is lax – speed limits are widely disregarded."

Dave du Feu, of Spokes, the Lothian Cycle Campaign, also called for 20mph limits in "all residential areas".

Glasgow City Council said its leader Steven Purcell's health commission had identified the introduction of a city-wide 20mph limit on residential streets as a key priority.

A spokesman said: "Officers are looking at the experiences of other towns and cities that have implemented a lower limit, such as Portsmouth, and will bring forward proposals in due course."

Edinburgh City Council transport convener Gordon MacKenzie said there was scope to increase the number of the city's 20mph zones "should the need arise".

He said: "We have already introduced 20mph zones around all Edinburgh's primary schools, some secondary schools, and in many residential areas.

"In addition, we're working with a number of agencies to develop a new road safety plan for Edinburgh, in which cyclist safety is a key consideration."

However, the Institute of Advanced Motorists called instead for other measures, such as segregated cycle lanes.

Policy and research director Neil Greig said: "By designing estates so only local traffic enters them, speeds are already reducing, and in most new-build areas 20mph is already the norm.

"Investment in high-quality cycle routes that separate inherently unsafe cars and bikes is needed rather than unenforceable speed limits in areas which are already safe.

"People cycle in Holland because they don't have to worry about traffic conflict anywhere on their journey."

Automobile Association president Edmund King said: "Targeted 20mph zones can be effective if drivers understand and respect why the limit is lower.

"Drivers understand why limits should be lower outside schools and where children play but this does not always mean you need a 20mph limit 24 hours per day."

Elizabeth Box, head of research for the Royal Automobile Club Foundation, said: "One-size-fits-all policies are rarely successful. Twenty mile per hour zones are no different."