Phase three of Edinburgh's citywide rollout of lower speeds to residential and shopping streets has gone live today
Phase three of Edinburgh’s citywide rollout of lower speeds to residential and shopping streets has gone live today (16 August), with many roads across the north west and west of the city becoming 20mph.
Phase one of the scheme went live in July 2016. At the time, the council said the new limits are aimed at increasing safety for all road users as well as creating a calmer, more people-friendly environment in shopping and residential streets.
Signs and road markings have been put in place across the phase three areas, including Clermiston and Clovenstone, marking which streets have changed to 20mph.
As with the whole rollout project, a strategic network of roads has been retained at 30mph and 40mph.
To mark the launch, children from the area displayed road safety-themed artwork at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
Pupils from Murrayfield Nursery took centre stage at the event, alongside Edinburgh’s transport convener councillor Lesley Macinnes and constable Stephen Nelson (pictured).
Cllr Macinnes said: “The Capital is blazing a trail by becoming the first city in Scotland to introduce slower speeds in all residential and shopping streets, as well as our city centre.
“Calming traffic is better for everyone – first and foremost, it’s far safer, with anyone hit at 20mph seven times more likely to survive than someone struck at 30mph.
“It’s quieter, too, and helps people feel more comfortable walking and cycling, creating more pleasant streets and neighbourhoods which boosts community cohesion and encourages support for local businesses as people choose to spend more time in an area.
“Smoother driving through less unnecessary acceleration and deceleration, coupled with an increase in people choosing active travel and public transport over private cars, means less congestion and better air quality for everyone.”
The 20mph rollout is supported, and enforced, by Police Scotland, who have handed out nearly 600 warnings and 26 tickets since the programme began.
Temporary superintendent Mark Rennie, Police Scotland, said: “Road safety is a priority for police in Edinburgh, and we are continuing to work with the City of Edinburgh Council to raise awareness of the 20mph zones.
“We will continue to carry out proactive speed checks to enforce the limits where operational demands allow, with priority being given to new zones, areas around schools, and locations where there have been previous collisions where speed was a factor.”
