ANNAN’S 20 mph speed limit has reduced speeds throughout the town, according to a Dumfries and Galloway Council survey.
But just one of the streets in the study saw speeds drop to below the limit.
Seven day surveys were carried out in March 2022 – prior to the 20 mph – and in April 2024 – with the new speed limit in force.
Of the 12 streets surveyed with the slower limit, all but one noted a reduction in mean speed.
The biggest decreases were found at North Street, 27.5 mph to 23.9 mph; Stapleton Road, 28.9 mph to 22.9 mph; and Lady Street, 21.1 mph to 18.1 mph.
An increase, meanwhile, was found on Station Road, from 22 mph to 23.7 mph.
Annan Community Council chairman Allan Weild said: “If you see figures from 2022 to 2024 the speeds are down, some not by much.”
On the affect of the slower speed limit, community councillor John Ramage added: “I think it’s brought a lot of folk down to 30 mph who were normally doing 40 plus.”
The local authority is modelling the Scottish Government’s commitment to a national strategy for 20 mph speed limits. Its main objectives are to reduce collisions, save lives and reduce serious injuries.
However, an article in last week’s Annandale Observer told of how drivers were being found to be flouting the speed limit following a 20 mph speed limits programme progress report.
Tony Topping, the council’s team leader for network strategy and road
safety, wrote: “The most common area of concern across all user groups with 20 mph speed limits is compliance.
“Public feedback and opinion suggests that stronger enforcement measures are required if 20 mph limits are to be effective.”
The council was contacted for comment on the results of the survey.
