Driving law changes to see motorists hit with 'blanket enforcement' of 20mph speed limits in major city
Speed changes were originally agreed in 2020 by Glasgow City Council
GLASGOW.MAPS/GETTY
Drivers have shared their fury over the upcoming mandatory 20mph speed limit which will affect thousands of roads in a major city.
Glasgow city centre has lowered the speed limit across roughly 4,000 roads to help promote safer travel and protect all road users.
The changes will see 211 miles of road including most of Glasgow city centre forced to adhere to lower speed limits to help encourage more walking, wheeling and cycling.
In total, 3,868 streets which are currently assigned to a 30mph speed limit will now be reduced to just 20mph.
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Almost 4,000 roads will switch from 30mph to 20mph
PEXELSHowever, there are currently 1,400 streets in Glasgow with 20mph speed limits with 472 streets set to keep the assigned 30mph limit.
The change in speed follows from a 2020 policy which saw the council approve a mandatory 20mph speed limit for all residential streets, the city centre, other main shopping areas or where there are high levels of walking, wheeling or cycling.
Despite aiming to promote safer streets, the lower speed limits have been met with mixed opinions by drivers with the majority angry at the new changes.
One person warned that the 20mph limit failed in Wales and “they saw the light, it will happen here”.
Another concerned motorist claimed that with cars moving slower, more pollution will be going into the air as a result.
A third driver said: “[The limit is] completely misguided and often only raises road rage, but on the plus side, great opportunity for the drivers to window shop and take in the scenery.”
Notably, someone else explained that the number of council vehicles, buses, and non-emergency police vehicles that exceed the signed speed limit “talks volumes”.
He said that while he didn’t disagree with 20mph limits, they need to be “selective”, rather than “blanket enforcement”.
The 20mph limits will be added on a zonal basis and are expected to take between 12 and 18 months to complete.
The extent of the zone areas and a delivery timetable will be finalised following the completion of the technical design work, the council said.
A spokesperson for the council added: “This will look at signage requirements and any additional speed restriction measures that might be necessary.”
Once implemented, there will be a period of monitoring to determine whether the limit makes a difference.
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The roll out of 20mph areas is estimated to take between 12 and 18 months to complete
PAKaren McGregor, Scotland director at walking and cyclist charity Sustrans, added: "Time and time again, the evidence has shown that lowering speed limits in built-up areas creates neighbourhoods that are safer for everyone."