New temporary speed limits introduced across East Lothian
Twenty three towns and villages across East Lothian have had their entry speed limits temporarily reduced to twenty miles an hour as part of the ‘Spaces for People’ project funded by the Scottish Government. East Lothian Council received £1.4m of Spaces for People funding to introduce a series of temporary measures to make essential travel and exercise safer for pedestrians and cyclists during the Covid-19 pandemic.
East Lothian Council’s spokesperson for Environment, Cllr Norman Hampshire, said: “The covid-19 pandemic has greatly changed the way in which people are moving in and around our local towns and villages. The introduction of these lower speed limits on a temporary basis is to support and encourage more active travel and improve road safety for more vulnerable road users.”
“We are only using signs and road markings in the first instance but ‘Gateways’ will shortly be introduced to make it even clearer when you are entering a reduced speed limit area which essentially is the entrance to a town or some of our villages. Police Scotland will be enforcing the new limits and the council will also undertake regular speed surveys to assess the effectiveness of the new limits.”
“Whilst these new limits will be in operation initially for a six months period, we will continue to engage with local communities and if there is a desire to make any permanent then this will be considered and a full consultation process carried out.”
Further details and background on the new speed limit measure can be found on the council’s website.