Edinburgh council seek to eliminate road deaths by end of the decade in 'ambitious target'

A target for zero road deaths in Edinburgh could be set by councillors for the end of this decade.

The “ambitious target” for a total of zero road fatalities will be considered by councillors.

The capital city has been a downward trend in the number of collisions resulting in injury since the Road Safety Action Plan was introduced in 2010.

The new target has been proposed for an updated version of the plan which would set the target by 2030.

The revised plan, to be considered by the Transport and Environment Committee on Thursday December 8, aims to further reduce the number of collisions in the city.

It sets the target of having a 50% reduction in people seriously injured, along with a 60% reduction in under-18s suffering serious injuries.

The actions to achieve these targets will be set out in a delivery plan from the council – which contains more than 100 measures, including proposals for new pedestrian crossings, and reductions to speed limits.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Any injury resulting from a collision on our roads is one too many.

“We have a responsibility to create safe and welcoming streets for all, and the Road Safety Action Plan is key to achieving this.

“I am keen to work with residents to ensure routes to schools are made safer, traffic short-cutting through residential communities is reduced and physical measures are introduced to cut speeds.”

He continued: “Thankfully, over the last decade, the number of collisions resulting in injury has continued to fall – but there is clearly much more to be done.

“The plan sets out a series of targets to significantly reduce the number further and, ultimately, attain Vision Zero for Edinburgh.”