Maybole 20mph limit pilot comes in to force

The Maybole scheme is part of a wider trunk road pilot that will see 20mph schemes brought into force in five towns and villages.

Stewart Leggett, National Operations Manager said:

“Safety is a priority for Transport Scotland and managing speed is an important part of our strategy. It is essential speed limits are appropriate to conditions and these pilot zones will help us establish the benefits of lowering speeds in towns villages, where it is reasonable to do so.

“This is the first of the five pilot sites which we expect to improve road safety generally while bringing specific benefits for vulnerable road users, such as older people and cyclists.

“We are pleased that the wider consultation process is now complete in Maybole and will now monitor the benefits it brings to the trunk road network.”

There have been a number of calls for lower speed limits, specifically 20 mph, and Transport Scotland has used an evidence led approach to identify which towns and villages across the trunk road network would benefit most from this type of road safety measure.

In doing so, the national transport agency considered the number of accidents and other factors such as traffic volumes and speeds, as well as HGV numbers and the characteristics of the location.

The proposed pilot areas should not require significant engineering or Police enforcement to support their operation.

Chief Superintendent Iain Murray, Head of Road Policing, Police Scotland, said: “Local communities repeatedly raise concerns about speed across the country and Police Scotland continues to work with local authorities and Transport Scotland to monitor and influence road user behaviour in order to make Scotland's roads safer.

“This will be the first full-time 20mph limit on a trunk road and we shall liaise closely with Transport Scotland to assess the outcome and benefits of its introduction.”

The pilot is coming into force following extensive consultation with the local authority and members of the community.

Councillor John McDowall, Sustainability & Environment Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council said:” I very much welcome this pilot project. Maybole has a narrow main street and this coupled with very high volumes of traffic means there are real concerns about road safety. I am sure that pedestrians and cyclists will appreciate the new speed restrictions and motorists should understand that the overarching policy is to keep people safe. This is an important step forward but raises the issue of a bypass which means HGV’s could avoid the town. I await the outcome of this pilot project with interest.”

ENDS