The Scottish Government has been urged to follow the Welsh example when implementing nationwide 20mph speed limits, following reports of safety improvements across the nation.
Representatives from the Scottish Greens have called on Scotland to take note of Wales when deciding how to roll the slower limits out ahead of new changes this year.
Data from the Welsh Government shows that 100 fewer people were killed or seriously injured on roads during the first year of the lower speed limit implementation.
The call comes as Scotland prepares for its own rollout of 20mph zones by the end of 2025 on roads “where it is appropriate to do so”.
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The Scottish Greens have urged the Government to follow the Welsh model of rolling out 20mph speed limits
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The reduced casualty figures from Wales have strengthened the case for similar measures in Scotland, as authorities aim to enhance road safety across residential and urban areas.
MSP Mark Ruskell, who has championed lower speed limits since 2018 when he introduced a member’s Bill on the issue, is leading the push for Scotland to learn from Wales’s successful approach.
He said: “These are not just numbers on a page, they are real people and real families who have been spared the grief and pain of losing a loved one.
“All road users should be able to travel safely, and it isn’t too much to ask drivers to keep themselves and others safe.”
Ruskell expressed satisfaction that the Scottish Budget will provide sufficient funding for councils to implement wider 20mph speed limits across Scotland in the coming year.
The MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife added: “Scotland needs to learn from the rollout and the success in Wales and make our roads safer for all.
“I’m delighted that the Scottish Budget will have enough funding to allow councils to introduce 20mph speed limits more widely in the next year across Scotland, it can’t come a moment too soon.”
Slower speed limits will be rolled out further in Cornwall following promising results. Average speeds in 20 out of 22 areas dropped where the limits have been introduced.
Research conducted for Cornwall Council revealed significant speed reductions in pilot areas, demonstrating the effectiveness of the scheme first launched in 2022.
Falmouth and Penryn recorded the most substantial improvements, with mean speed reductions of up to 6.9mph. In Camelford, another pilot area, mean speeds decreased by up to 5.7mph.
However, some challenges have emerged in areas like Hayle, where residents have expressed concerns about the speed limit changing five times along the main route.
Cornwall Council’s transport portfolio holder Connor Donnithorne remains committed to the changes, noting that the Hayle scheme received 70 per cent public support during consultation.
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More 20mph speed limits will be rolled out across Cornwall in the coming months and years
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He said: “If we can replicate the results from Falmouth, Penryn and Camelford it will mean that we are making roads safer for people.”
Similarly, Peter Channon, Cornwall councillor for Hayle West, also acknowledged some implementation challenges but remained positive about the impact.
“Overall it is making people more aware of their speed and should lead to a reduction in collisions,” he said.
