A NEW 20 miles per hour speed limit will be in place in Stranraer from Wednesday.
The temporary speed limit will be in place from October 6, and is in response to a decision made in December 2021 by the council’s communities committee, to align with the development of a national strategy for 20 mph speed limits across Scotland.
Once in place, the temporary 20 miles per hour limit will remain for 18 months before being re-evaluated through feedback from the public and data supplied through traffic speed surveys. The evaluation results will be presented to councillors for the approval of a permanent speed limit.
Councillors have already spoken favourably of the new speed limit and believe that it will improve road safety and encourage more people to travel by walking, wheeling or cycling. Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee, councillor Ian Blake said: “A 20mph speed limit for Stranraer will not only reduce vehicle speeds and accidents, but also make the roads and streets more attractive and safer for active travel and vulnerable user groups. Reduced speed limits are now recognised worldwide as a means to improve road safety and prevent collisions. Evidence has shown increasing support for 20mph speed limits from communities, and the Council has agreed the formal statutory process towards permanent implementation.”
Councillor Jackie McCamon added: “We hope that the new 20mph limit in Stranraer will encourage more people to walk, cycle or wheel. 20mph areas help to reduce the number of road accidents and make people feel safer while going about their day-to-day journeys. The new 20mph speed limit aligns perfectly with the significant changes in the Highway Code to help pedestrians and cyclists, focusing on helping vulnerable road users by making active travel choices more attractive.”
