Speed limits to be reduced across thousands of Glasgow streets

Concerns have been raised about work to change the speed limits on almost 4000 streets in Glasgow.

Speeds will be reduced from 30mph to 20mph in a bid to improve road safety throughout the city.

During the most recent environment and liveable neighbourhoods, committee councillors agreed that after assessing more than 5700 streets, a total of 3868, currently assigned a 30mph limit, will be reduced to 20mph.

The 1400 streets with a 20mph limit and the 472 roads with a 30mph limit will remain the same.

At the meeting, concerns were raised that the speed limit on some streets changed and this could confuse drivers coming and going from the city.

Councillor Holly Bruce said: “It is really exciting, from a ward perspective, to see that 144 roads will now be 20mph in Langside and great for road safety.

“There is one particular road, which I think is relevant for all roads in Glasgow, and that is Battlefield Road, seems to be partly retained and partly changing to 20mph.

“I am concerned if that is happening in other areas of the city then it might lead to confusion if signage isn’t properly installed and the road itself is quite similar in terms of shopfronts and size and the amount of traffic that goes down there in terms of pedestrians and cyclists as well.

“Why is this the case and can you provide any more detail on that.”

A council officer said that there will be a number of roads where there is a varying speed limit because the “character” of them varies.

They said: “The guidelines are quite clear on where you should consider 20mph and where you should consider 30mph but it also gives us flexibility to consider what looks sensible for a driver.

“The assessors who carried this out have done that and it has been reviewed by our own internal traffic expats and there have been a few changes made already.”

Introducing a citywide 20mph speed limit was approved by councillors back in 2020.

Councillor Stephen Docherty said: “I am just wondering what extra resources Glasgow City Council got to implement the enforcement of this.

“At the moment I don’t see the 20mph limit in the city centre being enforced, never mind what is happening elsewhere.”

A council officer responded “The enforcement of speeds is a Police Scotland duty – we don’t have powers to deal with speed offences. We will be working with our colleagues in Police Scotland for them to enforce the 20mph limits.”

The council will now look at implementing the new speed limits in large “zonal areas” with a Speed Limit Order which can take between 12 to 18 months to complete.