Item 11 - 20MPH Strategy
West Dunbartonshire Council · 21 May 2025
Back to Infrastructure, Regeneration & Economic Development Committee — 21 May 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer Roads and Neighbourhood Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development on 21 May 2025 Subject: 20mph Strategy for West Dunbartonshire Council 1. Purpose 1.1 To provide an overview on the process of prioritising and implementing 20mph speed limits across the authority and agree an appropriate strategy. 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Committee: a) Notes the contents of this report; b) Approves the new policy for implementing 20mph streets throughout the authority; and c) Notes that a programme of implementation will be developed following confirmation of sufficient available external funding. 3. Background 3.1 A reduction in speed limits has been shown to reduce road collisions and severity with a person hit by a road vehicle travelling at 30mph seven times more likely to die than at 20mph. 3.2 In addition, reduced vehicle speeds improve road safety and lead to reductions in the number and severity of casualties. There are also benefits in terms of reduced noise, reduced congestion, more potential for social interaction and encouragement of active travel. Where widespread 20mph speed limits have been implemented, the impacts on car and bus journey times have been shown to be minimal. 3.3 The Scottish Government are committed to streets safer and through the Road Safety Framework 2030 aim to introduce 20mph limits across the country by the end of 2025. 3.4 West Dunbartonshire Council already has a commitment to the implementation of 20mph zones around schools, helping to reduce both the likelihood of incidents and seriousness of any potential accidents which may occur and have developed the attached (Appendix 1) strategy to introduce this across the authority. ITEM 11
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3.5 In 2016, revisions were made to the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) and following that, Transport Scotland published revised guidance on 20mph speed restrictions. This guidance relaxed the criteria for introducing 20mph limits, allowing them to be considered without traffic calming where the ‘existing mean speeds are no greater than 24mph’. 3.6 This relaxation helps ensure that areas where vehicle speeds are below 24mph, can have 20mph limits without the need for costly traffic calming measures such as speed cushions. This guidance also extended the definition of traffic calming by permitting the use of repeater signs and 20mph roundel road markings as traffic calming features. 3.7 As a result of these changes, it is now possible to introduce widespread 20mph limits on many city roads without physical traffic calming measures. This approach has been used widely in other Local Authorities and has resulted in significant cost savings over the traditional approach of providing traffic calming. 3.8 Using the above information the Roads and Transportation service have undertaken an assessment of the roads in West Dunbartonshire to identify the likely impact of introducing 20mph limits on our road network and have split these into 3 categories. • Green – those locations which would support the introduction of 20mph limits without the need for any supporting speed reduction infrastructure. • Amber – those locations where 20mph limits can be implemented but speed should be monitored after implementation to assess if any additional measures are required such as speed cushions, speed tables and chicanes. • Red – indicates those locations where 20mph can be introduced but the road would need additional speed reduction measures to support 20mph. 3.9 In addition, there are some locations which would remain above 30mph due to the strategic importance such as A and B roads with minimal frontages. 4. Main Issues 4.1 To assist officers in implementing the roll out of 20mph limits 26 individual 20mph zones were created across the authority using the RAG assessment, as well as physical boundaries such as major roads, railways, natural barriers, and changes in area character. 4.2 Each of these zones were then prioritised using criteria designed in line with the principles of the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance.
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4.3 Each zone was evaluated against: - • Collision History • Road Geometry and Engineering • Existing Speed Limits • Road User Composition • Location of active travel routes 4.4 The scores were then weighted appropriately and averaged across each zone to calculate an overall score with this score dictating the priority order. Details of the full scoring system and prioritisation list is provided as Appendix 2 – Technical Note Scoring System. 4.5 The Scottish Government has an aim of having 20mph limits in place across the country by the end of 2025 however in line with many other Local Authorities progress has been dictated by both physical and financial constraints and competing priorities. 4.6 The service will aim to prioritise the implementation of 20mph limits within the defined Amber and Green locations, subject to the statutory TRO process, however those locations which require additional assessment and speed reduction measures will take longer to implement. A programme will be developed following confirmation of available funding. 4.7 Existing staff resources are already fully committed on agreed parking and traffic projects. It is therefore anticipated that additional temporary staff would be required to progress this project within the anticipated programme. 4.8 The full introduction of a wider 20mph speed limit network throughout West Dunbartonshire Council based upon the policy principles set out above and subject to available funding and additional resource, could be achieved within 3 years providing benefits for communities and reducing the number and severity of accidents. 5. People Implications 5.1 An additional 1 FTE would be required to support the full delivery of the strategy. Recruitment would commence following confirmation of funding. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 It has been indicated that sufficient funding will be made available by the Scottish Government for 2025/26 to support Councils in the implementation of 20mph however no decision has been provided for any future year’s support.
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6.2 The service will first seek funding from available external funding streams to support initial and future roll out. The extent of implementation will be determined by the availability of external funding. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 All traffic orders to support this strategy will be promoted via permanent orders and whilst it is anticipated the introduction of this strategy will be generally well received amongst residents there is the potential for isolated objections for some locations which may impact the delivery times and proposed budget. 7.2 Where objections are received, the opportunity exists to promote a temporary traffic regulation order. This would allow the zone to be piloted and monitored in advance of the permanent order. The consultation process for permanent orders can be continued in a separate process. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 This proposal will help the socio-economically disadvantaged as there are more likely to be the victims of road traffic accidents. Improves the health and well-being of our residents by providing safer roads to encourage walking and cycling. 9. Consultation 9.1 As a Scottish Government initiative consultation with appropriate key stakeholders has been undertaken on a national level. Local consultations will be undertaken through the statutory traffic regulation order consultation process. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 The review sets out actions to support the successful delivery of the strategic priorities and objectives of the Council, in particular: • Our Neighbourhoods are sustainable and attractive. Chief Officer Gail Macfarlane Service Area Roads and Neighbourhood Date: 7 May 2025
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Person to Contact: Liam Greene, Roads and Transport Manager, Liam.greene@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendix 20mph Strategy Technical Note – Scoring System Equality Impact Assessment Wards Affected: All wards