100 new speed bumps to be built on roads

MORE than a hundred new speed bumps are to be introduced in Edinburgh as part of radical plans to improve road safety in residential areas.

The 275,000 project will see the introduction of extensive sets of speed bumps, build-outs and other speed-reducing measures on dozens of streets if plans are approved.

The scheme is completely separate from the 100,000 trial of a huge 20mph zone on the south side of Edinburgh, which sees the change in the speed limit enforced by police.

The speed-bump scheme, for which the council advertised the contract this week, will provide physical speed-reduction measures at regular intervals to force drivers to 20mph or under.

There are already 20mph limits on parts of 50 per cent of Edinburgh's streets, and the introduction of both schemes will make the majority of the city's roads 20mph, rather than 30mph. Proposed plans will be examined by the council's transport committee in May, and if approved, work will be carried out over the summer.

Leaflets with feedback forms were sent to residents in the areas concerned on Friday.

Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, the city's transport leader, said: "Having developed, and agreed, a priority list of those areas that would benefit most from a 20mph zone, we are preparing to begin the next phase.

"Assuming agreement at May's transport committee, the works will be carried out over the summer."

Both speed bumps and build-outs in the road will be introduced at the Buckstone Estate in Comiston due to the proximity to the local school, while a 20mph zone on a dozen streets in the Morningside Park area will also be introduced.

Around 15 streets in Merchiston, between Polwarth Terrace to Colinton Road, taking in Spylaw Road, will also see new traffic calming measures.

Local residents have petitioned councillors in recent months to bring in the measures to stop motorists from speeding on the wide boulevards in the area.

The fourth zone will be around McDonald Road at the top of Leith Walk, which features a large number of residential tenement blocks and is close to several schools.

Morningside councillor Paul Godzik said: "A number of local residents have approached me with regards to speed, especially on Merchiston Avenue and Spylaw Road, so I'm very pleased this scheme is on its way to being introduced."

The new speed-bump project follows the proposed introduction of a separate enforced 20mph zone on 25 miles of city roads, stretching from Blackford Hill in the south to Holyrood Park.

In the new zone, around 12 miles of major or secondary roads will remain as 30mph limits, including Melville Drive, Marchmont Road, Charterhall Road, Liberton Road, Gilmerton Road, Morningside Road and Home Street.

The trial is expected to start in March 2012 and could be extended across the city.