Agenda item

Philippa Gilhooly, SBC Team Leader – Traffic and Road Safety

Ms Philippa Gilhooly, SBC Team Leader - Traffic & Road Safety Management, gave an update to the Area Partnership on the pilot 20mph speed limits as they applied in Berwickshire.  Full funding of £1.2m had been received through the Scottish Government’s Spaces for People programme to roll out 20mph speed limits on a temporary trial basis for streets in the Borders which were usually 30mph.  Community Councils had been kept updated via emails over the last few months on the progress of the project.  Currently work was underway to introduce buffer speed limits before coming into 20mph zones; Eyemouth and Duns had had cycle routes put in place; and electronic messaging signs were being deployed in some communities.  A public consultation had been started through Citizen Space and Ms Gilhooly gave some examples of questions and also some responses received from the Berwickshire area.  Of the 5,700 responses received to date, 913 related to Berwickshire.  Initial responses had been received from people who were opposed to 20mph in general and also from those who were very supportive.  Ms Gilhooly confirmed that it was not necessarily the case that emissions from vehicles increased at 20mph, as while there was an increase from 0 to 20mph, from 20mph it levelled out.  The following questions/comments and responses were made:

(a)       Question – How do you take into account using only on-line questionnaires which would more likely be completed by younger people?

Response – A large number of responses had been received from the 50 – 60+ year old age group.  It was unfortunate that Contact Centres were not open but older people were really well represented online.  The questionnaire responses would give information which would be taken into account when preparing recommendations for Councillors.

(b)       Question/comment – How well do the people offering an opinion understand the implications?  Reductions in speed reduce accidents.  While there may not be a dramatic difference in journey time through a village, the degree of injury inflicted should there be an accident at higher speed would be greater so the report needed to reflect this as well as public opinion.  Opposing views would be expressed in the responses to any questionnaire.

Response – Napier University would be carrying out the evaluation.  Traffic speed and volume dashboard showing average speed would be included, and the impact of an accident at 30mph on an older person or a child which would likely be life changing if not fatal.

(c)       Comment – Birgham area, on the Coldstream side, near the bus shelter, needs to have speed monitors as a lot of complaints had been received over the years for this particular site.   Unless the public adhered to and accepted speed limits then the trial would not work.

(d)       Question – Why were cycle lanes put in Eyemouth?

Response – Eyemouth probably had the widest roads in the Borders.  These were advisory cycle lanes which meant that drivers could drive in them when they were not being used by cyclists. The aim was to make drivers more aware of how they should behave around cyclists and comply with the Highway Code.  Advisory cycle lanes were also being put in Duns. 

The Chairman thanks Ms Gilhooly for attending the meeting and providing information and encouraged everyone to respond to the consultation. 

MEMBER

Councillor Greenwell left the meeting.