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New powers for Scottish councils on 20 mph speed limits - MacDonald
17/06/1999
New arrangements will make it easier for Scotland's councils to introduce 20 mph speed limits in built-up areas and near schools, Scottish Office Transport Minister Calum MacDonald announced today.
Under the previous arrangements, local authorities were required to obtain the Secretary of State's consent before making 20 mph speed limit orders. The new arrangements will make it easier for councils to introduce these vital road safety measures.
Welcoming the changes Mr MacDonald said:
"The new arrangements make it easier for local authorities to introduce 20 mph zones, which have comprehensive traffic calming measures to slow down traffic. The zones have proved very effective both in slowing traffic and in reducing the number and severity of accidents, especially those involving vulnerable road users such as children, the elderly and cyclists.
"Councils can also introduce 20 mph speed limits without speed reducing measures where physical measures to slow down traffic are not considered necessary.
"These changes give the responsibility for making decisions on 20 mph schemes to the authorities that are best placed to decide on the most appropriate measures to meet local circumstances."
BACKGROUND
1. The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (Amendment) Order 1999, which came into force on June 16, 1999, removes the requirement for local authorities to obtain the consent of the Secretary of State to the making of 20 mph speed limit orders. Consent is still required in respect of other speed limits below 30 mph.
2. The Traffic Signs General (Amendment) Directions 1999 link the use of 20 mph zone signs to engineering measures designed to reduce the speed of traffic. The Road Humps and Traffic Calming (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1999 provide that the requirements with regard to signing and lighting of road humps and other traffic calming features do not apply in 20 mph zones.
News Release: 1235/99
17 June 1999