Police will not regularly enforce new 20mph limits

Authorities in south-west Scotland will not consistently enforce the newly introduced 20mph speed limits on major roads. Temporary restrictions have already been applied to the A75 near Springholm, the A77 at Cairnryan, and the A701 around Locharbriggs and Heathhall. Additional limits are set to come into effect later this month on the A75 and A77 in Stranraer, as well as the A75 at Crocketford.

Chief Superintendent Steven Meikle explained to local councillors that these measures are primarily designed to be self-regulating, though police may intervene if there is a noticeable increase in complaints or if accident data indicates a safety concern. The restrictions will remain for up to 18 months, during which their impact will be assessed before a decision is made on permanent implementation.

This initiative, led by Transport Scotland in collaboration with Dumfries and Galloway Council, aims to enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users. Councillor Iain Howie expressed concerns about enforcing 20mph limits in urban areas, questioning how the rules would be applied in locations like Springholm and Crocketford.

Ch Supt Meikle clarified that routine speed checks are not planned due to limited resources, stating, It is the general position of Police Scotland that we do not have the capacity to routinely enforce 20mph speed zones. He added that local authorities should rely on traffic-calming measures to ensure compliance, while police would respond if complaints or accident statistics indicate a problem.

The A75 at Crocketford will see its speed limit lowered to 20mph as part of this program. Transport Scotland highlighted that 20mph restrictions can greatly reduce the likelihood of serious injuries in collisions and emphasized that vehicle speeds will be closely monitored throughout the trial to evaluate effectiveness.

Author: Olivia Parker