City lifts lid on plan to use bins in drive to fight speeding

STICKERS could be plastered across the city's wheelie bins in an attempt to force drivers to slow down and obey the speed limit.

Councillors are set to consider a scheme similar to one in Norfolk, where "20's Plenty" stickers are stuck to the side of bins in residential streets.

It is hoped the initiative could reduce the number of speed bumps needed to enforce a new 20mph zone in the south of the city.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tory councillor Gordon Buchan said he had proposed the idea after seeing it in operation during a holiday to Norfolk.

• Should we put stickers on wheelie bins so they can double as speed limit signs? Vote here

He said: "This is an effective way to reinforce the road safety message. I'd like to see us get a bit more information on this to see if it's something we could do.

"It's about trying to reinforce to drivers the message that they're in a residential area and to have more consideration for people.

"The stickers could go on other street furniture as well.

"People who have contacted me have a lot of concerns about speed bumps and the cost of them.

"The cost of speed bumps is quite considerable, but stickers might have the same effect at a smaller cost."

One of the areas to already try the initiative is the village of Filby, near Great Yarmouth, where dozens of bins have been emblazoned with stickers saying, "Slow down in our village".

Residents have reported a slowing down of vehicles driving through the village on days when bins are out to be collected.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Earlier this year it emerged that 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 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 and could be extended across the city.

A spokesman for the city council confirmed that a report on the introduction of speed stickers would be compiled by officials. He said: "A report will come back before the transport committee in due course."