Thousands of roads in Glasgow are set to have the speed limit cut from 30mph to 20mph under a plan to “create safer streets”.
A consultant employed by Glasgow City Council has proposed reducing the limit on 3,868 streets across the city.
After assessing over 5,700 streets, it has also been recommended that all 1,400 streets with a 20mph limit should remain at that speed. A 30mph limit could be kept on 472 roads under the proposal.
Introducing a citywide 20mph speed limit was approved by councillors in 2020. The council’s road safety plan commits to introducing the limit on the majority of roads by 2030, says STV.
Councillor Angus Millar, the city’s convener for climate and transport, said: “A citywide 20mph speed limit will bring Glasgow in line with many other UK cities and help to create safer streets and communities for all of us, reducing the risk of accidents and the severity of injuries sustained.
“Reducing the impact of traffic on communities will also contribute to the wider shift needed towards more sustainable forms of transport, which is vital if we are to achieve our target of Glasgow becoming carbon neutral by 2030.”
Almost £2.5m was awarded to the council by charity Sustrans and Transport Scotland in 2020 to support the implementation of the limit. The council agreed to contribute £2.1m in February 2022.
In November last year, a consultant was appointed to analyse the city’s road network and identify which streets were suitable for a speed limit change.
All roads with 20 and 30mph limits were assessed. Factors such as the location of schools, homes, shops, community centres and health services were taken into consideration.
Cllr Millar said: “We know that many other cities have a 20mph speed limit and the evidence that’s been gathered shows a minimal impact on the journey times for cars and buses.
