MSP gains support to bring in urban 20 mph limit bill

A Green MSP has won sufficient backing to introduce his proposed bill to reduce the default speed limit on “restricted roads” in Scotland – essentially in urban areas – from 30 to 20 mph, the Sunday Herald has reported.

Eighteen other MSPs, including SNP and Labour as well as Green members, have declared their support for Mark Ruskell's move, meeting the threshold requirement for a member's bill at Holyrood. It was also favoured by a substantial majority – many of them through the Scottish Green Party or Friends of the Earth Scotland – in the public consultation stage that precedes the final proposal that members are invited to support.

Around 80% of the 2,200 individuals and groups who responded, were behind the plan, which Mr Ruskell maintains will cut air pollution as well as reducing the risk of death or serious injury in an accident.

He hopes for further parliamentary support ahead of the 19 December deadline for signatures, and plans to introduce his bill during 2018.

The Scottish Government has indicated that ministers are keeping an open mind about the bill, on the view that given the varied nature of the urban road network and the number of factors to be considered when setting speed limits, decisions on 20mph speed limits are best taken at local authority level.