National strategy for 20mph rollout begins

The reduction in the speed limit, from 30mph to 20mph, has already come into effect on the mainland, with road signs in the Springside area of Irvine altered to reflect the change.

North Ayrshire Council hopes to complete the rollout across all of North Ayrshire by around March 2026.

On Arran, changes will be seen across the island’s road network, including portions at Blackwaterfoot, Brodick, Kildonan, Kilmory, Sliddery, Lamlash, Pirnmill, Sannox, and Whiting Bay.

Transport Scotland, the national agency that delivers the Scottish Government’s plans for transport, proposed the National Strategy for 20mph in urban areas and North Ayrshire Council’s cabinet approved the proposal in June this year.

The driving force behind the change is to improve safety – with evidence showing when a vehicle collides with a pedestrian at 30mph, they are seven times more likely to die than at 20 mph.

Statistics for 2022, show there were 2201 casualties on Scottish roads with a speed limit of 30 mph. Of these, 623 people were seriously injured and there were 31 fatalities.

According to Scotland’s National 20mph Strategy, which includes the slogan, “Slower today for a safer tomorrow” the key reasons for lowering the speed limit are: a reduction in the severity of and total number of road collisions; creating safer spaces for all road users; to encouraging a change in the way people travel for shorter, everyday journeys to promote healthier lifestyles and; to improve communities by lowering speeds in the places people live.