Scotland-wide 50mph speed limit plans will be ‘carefully assessed’ after record-breaking consultation feedback, says Scottish Government transport secretary Fiona Hyslop
Proposals to cut national speed limits in Scotland from 60mph to 50mph will be “carefully assessed” following a record-breaking response to the public consultation, a minister has promised.
Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop made the comments after Transport Scotland revealed that more than 19,000 responses were received before the consultation period ended this week - the largest number of responses to any consultation in its history
The National Speed Management Review was set up to “ensure speed limits on Scotland’s roads are appropriate and help reduce injury and death on our roads”.
The consultation has been exploring the possible reduction of single carriageway speed limits from 60mph to 50mph, while also increasing speed limits for lorries and vans over 7.5 tonnes on single and dual carriageways. The limits for goods vehicles would rise to 50mph and 60mph respectively on those routes, if approved..
Advocates argue that there is evidence indicating that these various changes could “significantly reduce injury collisions” while also maintaining overall journey times due in part to faster travelling freight vehicles.
However, critics argue such reductions will have a disproportionate impact in rural areas, and risk adding to overall travel times on the longer journeys that motorists often need to make to get about in locations like the Highlands.
Commenting after the consultation period ended, Fiona Hyslop said: “I want to thank everyone who took the time to engage with this consultation. With over 19,000 responses - the largest ever consultation response Transport Scotland has received – it is clear that these proposals are of great importance to the public and stakeholders.
“Over the coming months, Transport Scotland will carefully assess all feedback before the findings and next steps are published later this year.
“I want to be clear that road safety remains an absolute priority for the Scottish Government and we are fully committed to working towards our ambitious goal of making Scotland’s roads the safest in the world by 2030.
“The National Speed Management Review is part of our record £36 million investment in road safety this financial year. Evidence indicates that these proposed speed limit changes could play a significant role in preventing road deaths and serious injuries whilst maintaining journey times and improving journey time reliability.
“We must never lose sight of the fact that one death on our roads is one too many. These proposals represent a vital step towards making Scotland roads safer.”
