Speed Limit Review
Argyll and Bute Council · 18 December 2025
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 18 December 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES 18 DECEMBER 2025 SPEED LIMIT REVIEW 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 A report was presented to the EDI Committee at its meeting held on 18 December 2024, on the proposed review of speed limits on the local road network. Following that, Roads and Infrastructure Service (RIS) attempted to secure an external resource. Following an unsuccessful recruitment exercise at the end of 2024, the service has now seconded an internal officer to the Project Officer post. This has been agreed with Transport Scotland. 1.2 This report provides the Committee with an update and overview of the speed limit review on the local road network (“Project 20”) and the associated process Transport Scotland have adopted for the trunk road network. 1.3 It also distinguishes between the council’s Project 20, and the pilot schemes currently being implemented by Transport Scotland on the trunk roads in Argyll and Bute, as follows • A83 at Ardrishaig • A83 at Arrochar • A83 at Campbeltown • A85 at Connel • A83 at Inverary • A83 at Lochgilphead • A83 at Tarbert • A82 at Tarbet 1.4 The report is for consideration by the Committee.
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES 18 DECEMBER 2025 SPEED LIMIT REVIEW 2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 This report provides the Committee with an update and overview of the speed limit review, and the process Transport Scotland have adopted for the trunk road network. 3.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 The Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee are requested to consider the report. 4.0 DETAIL 4.1 A report was presented to the Committee at its meeting held on 18 December 2024, on the proposed review of speed limits on the local road network. Following that meeting, the Service attempted to secure external resource but was this unsuccessful. The Service, with agreement from Transport Scotland as the funder, has now seconded an internal officer to the Project Officer post. 4.2 This report provides the Committee with an update on the Project 20 (this is the project name for the local road speed limit review) project, process for appraisal, and the approach that Transport Scotland have adopted for the trunk road network in Argyll and Bute. 4.3 The starting point of Project 20 is to assess our existing road network and identify roads which are appropriate for a lower speed limit of 20mph. This is based on Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030 (RSF2030) which supports this commitment. It promotes a strong and strategic approach to creating a safe system, with speed management being a priority. The strategy's vision is: “slower today for a safer tomorrow” and it should be noted that even small reductions in speed reduce the risk of fatal and serious collisions. The speed of a vehicle directly influences the risk of a collision as well as the severity of injuries sustained, and the likelihood of death resulting from that collision.
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4.4 The initial view taken is that all 30 mph roads are appropriate for a lower speed limit of 20 mph. However, officers acknowledge that there will be some inconsistencies, for example • where some roads meet the place criteria but are not appropriate, or • where other roads which do not meet the place criteria are appropriate for a lower speed limit of 20mph. 4.5 The Argyll and Bute project acknowledges that local knowledge and community feedback is key to setting the most appropriate speed limit for our local environment. 4.6 A webpage has been set up on the Councils website which provides additional information and FAQs but will also provide updates to the public as the project progresses. 4.7 Local engagement will include meetings with local Elected Members and Community Councils. This may be expanded to include other groups as appropriate, for example, a local disability forum. 4.8 The project will work area by area, beginning with Helensburgh and Lomond, on the local road network. More information about this initiative, and updates on its progress as it develops, will be made available at: www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/project- 20 4.9 The project is being operated independently of the 18 month trial recently introduced by Transport Scotland at the following locations within Argyll and Bute • A83 at Ardrishaig • A83 at Arrochar • A83 at Campbeltown • A85 at Connel • A83 at Inverary • A83 at Lochgilphead • A83 at Tarbert • A82 at Tarbet 4.10 While Argyll and Bute Council was not directly involved in this, and had limited input into the selection of locations, we welcome efforts to improve road safety across the region. As works progress, Transport Scotland will install signage on trunk road locations, where changes to the speed limit have been considered appropriate, to inform road users of these changes.
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4.11 Trunk road speed limits are the responsibility of the Scottish Government through Transport Scotland. Similar to our own process, changes to the existing trunk road speed limits have been introduced under a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) for the maximum permitted duration of 18 months. During this time, evaluation of the effectiveness of the lower speed limit will be carried out. This evaluation will include consultation with organisations such as Police Scotland. The evaluation consists of carrying out speed surveys prior to the implementation of any 20mph speed limit to establish a baseline value that measurements can be made against before being promoted as a permanent order. Feedback on the 20mph speed limit can be made when the draft Permanent Traffic Regulation Order (PTRO) is published at the end of the 18- month trial period. Any move to make these changes permanent will require the Scottish Government to put in place a Permanent Traffic Regulation Order, which will include consultation with the local community. 4.12 With regards to the council’s own project, Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) will be promoted, introducing the amended speed limits. This has been preceded by engagement and pre-implementation surveys This process will use TTROs to implement the 20 mph speed limits, giving the community time to experience the change and for the lower speed limit to be monitored and evaluated over a maximum period of 18 months. During this period, a measured and informed decision can then be made as to whether the 20 mph speed limit can be refined or modified and implemented via a permanent Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). 4.13 Argyll and Bute roads officers have opted to engage prior to implementation to maximise the incorporation of local knowledge and to potentially minimise objections at the formal TRO process. This makes any amendments slower to introduce but, based on experience with other TROs, is expected to result in fewer changes when moving from the TTROs to TROs at the last stage of the project. There is likely no “right” way to implementation and each roads authority will manage their project as they consider best. 5.0 CONCLUSION 5.1 The report provides an update on Project 20 and the associated process on the trunk road network for noting by the Committee.
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6.0 IMPLICATIONS 6.1 Policy – The assessment criteria for the project (criteria has been agreed nationally) may require the existing Road Speed Limit Policy Framework to take this into account on review. 6.2 Financial – The project post is funded by the Scottish Government. Where a requirement for lining, signing or physical traffic management has been identified, further requests for funding will be submitted to the Scottish Government. 6.3 Legal – TTROs & TROs will be progressed in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, The Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1999, The Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Procedure Regulations 1992 and other associated regulations. 6.4 HR – none at this time 6.5 Customer service – webpage will be updated as the project progresses. The Project 20 Officer is in the process of engaging with our Customers Services team to formalise the best way to ensure we maximise service delivery. 6.6 Risk – reputational damage is possible if the project was not taken forward. Public opinion on speed limit reductions is not homogenous, potential for criticism regardless of final output. 6.7 Climate change – reductions in mean speeds may have a beneficial impact on outputs from engines (NO, CO2, particulates). Could encourage more people to walk or wheel, reducing vehicular traffic, which potentially lowers both engine outputs and noise in the environment close to the road network. 6.8 Fairer Scotland Duty – n/a 6.9 Equalities: protected characteristics – Reduction in mean speeds would have a beneficial of those with disabilities when using the road network, particularly for those walking or wheeling, 6.10 Consumer duty – n/a 6.11 Island communities – n/a 6.12 Children’s Rights and Wellbeing – Reduction in mean speeds and a move to 20mph speed limits will make the road network for children. Slower speeds make crossing the road easier but, more importantly, massively reduces both the frequency of incidents and the severity of outcome when they do occur. Executive Director with responsibility for Roads and Infrastructure Services: Kirsty Flanagan
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Policy Lead for Roads, Transport and Amenity Services: Councillor John Armour November 2025 For further information contact: Stuart Watson, Assistant Network & Standards Manager stuart.watson@argyll-bute.gov.uk Hugh O’Neill – Network & Standard Manager hugh.oneill@argyll-bute.gov.uk