Drivers in Glasgow are set for a significant change behind the wheel as the city prepares for a sweeping reduction of speed limits across its urban network. The council has confirmed plans to slash limits to 20mph on thousands of streets in a bid to enhance safety for all road users.
Extensive Rollout of New Speed Zones
The ambitious scheme will see speed limits reduced on a staggering 3,690 streets across Scotland's largest city. The rollout is scheduled to begin soon, with completion targeted for the autumn of this year. Once finished, only 650 roads will retain the previous 30mph limit. Roads currently with a limit of 40mph or above will remain unchanged, and the council has no jurisdiction over motorways like the busy M8 and M74, so no changes will occur there.
Political Debate and Safety Claims
The move has ignited a familiar political debate. Councillor Angus Millar, Glasgow's convenor for transport, is a strong advocate, pointing to the success of a similar default 20mph limit introduced in Edinburgh in 2016. "We know these approaches work," Millar told the Glasgow Times, citing a 30% reduction in casualties in the capital since the change. He argued the city-wide shift creates a safer environment, particularly for children, and claimed traffic flow can be better managed, minimising impact on journey times.
However, the policy faces criticism from opposition figures. Sue Webber MSP, the Scottish Tory transport spokesman, labelled it a "one-size-fits-all approach" that doesn't work. She urged SNP ministers to work with councils to apply limits only where "genuinely needed," such as outside schools, rather than piling more restrictions on motorists.
Implementation and Expected Outcomes
The changes will be introduced in six phases across the SNP-run council. Councillor Millar emphasised that key arterial routes will maintain their current speeds to help manage overall traffic flow. He stated there is no evidence of massive increases in travel times in areas that have adopted such schemes, but insisted the "significant improvements in road safety and reductions in casualties" speak for themselves. The council's primary goal is firmly centred on creating safer streets for everyone, from pedestrians to cyclists and drivers themselves.
