Parts of Dumfries town centre will fall under temporary 20mph speed limit from Friday 12 March. Dumfries and Galloway Council are responding to public feedback by putting in place a temporary 20mph speed limit in Dumfries town centre through working with Sustrans and their spaces for people project.
The scheme is intended to reduce motor vehicle speeds through the town centre and in turn reduce the likelihood of collisions/ accidents, road casualties and injury severity. It will create a safer environment for all road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and vulnerable groups in our communities, and assist with physical distancing to limit the transmission of coronavirus.
During 2020, the Council asked people across Dumfries and Galloway which temporary solutions they need to help them feel safer as they walk, wheel or cycle through town centres during COVID-19. There was overwhelming support among residents of Dumfries for reducing vehicle speeds in the interest of public health and safety. This self-enforcing, blanket 20mph speed limit will encourage considerate and respectful driving within the town centre. By creating a safer experience for town centre visitors, the temporary scheme will support people to shop local and shop safely, helping to revitalise the local economy.
The temporary speed limit is due to come into effect from Friday 12 March, as part of the Spaces for People Programme. Funded by Transport Scotland and administered by Sustrans Scotland. Spaces for People is a temporary infrastructure programme in Scotland which offers funding and support to make it safer for people who choose to walk, cycle or wheel for essential trips and exercise during Covid-19.
Once in place, the temporary 20mph scheme will be added to Sustrans’ Space to Move map for the public to provide feedback on. The Council will undertake an initial review of the 20mph scheme after it has been in place for 4-6 weeks.
Councillor John Martin, Vice Chair of Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Communities Committee said:
“A 20mph speed limit for Dumfries town centre will not only reduce vehicle speeds and accidents, but also make the roads and streets more attractive and safer for active travel and vulnerable user groups. These are unprecedented and challenging times and our committed and dedicated staff have designed a scheme which will help encourage people back to the town centre in the interests of public health and economic recovery as we attempt to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Michael Melton, Interim Infrastructure Manager for Sustrans Scotland said:
“We hope that the new 20mph limit in Dumfries town centre will encourage more people to walk, cycle or wheel. 20mph areas help to reduce the number of road accidents and make people feel safer while going about their day to day journeys.”
