A Dundee City councillor has branded the local authority “utterly pathetic” with “the momentum of a snail” over its response to a recent consultation on possible 20mph zones in the city.
Fraser Macpherson described the SNP administration as a “damp squib” for its perceived lack of action in the wake of the consultation.
Convener of the City Development committee Will Dawson responded by telling Mr Macpherson to “calm himself down a bit”.
The city-wide questionnaire asked residents where they thought a 20mph limit would be appropriate.
Nearly 1,000 responses were received, with the majority in favour of introducing some 20mph zones.
Mr Macpherson, who originally suggested a consultation should be held, said: “Despite a good rate of response, the council’s proactive response has been limited to one trial 20mph zone in the Glens and Johnston Avenue.
“Whilst that scheme is to be welcomed, the council’s response other than this has been utterly pathetic — the issue has been kicked by the SNP administration into the very long grass with no possible further progress until at least June 2018.
“This SNP administration has all the momentum of a snail.
“I appreciate that this is the fag end of its term in office but it really does have to show more gumption over this issue.”
The consultation was originally discussed in the City Development Committee by Mr Macpherson in June 2014, but was voted down by other councillors. It then received unanimous backing in February 2015.
He added: “The city council’s policy to fail to progress 20mph zones and implement them in appropriate streets is now at odds with its own government’s guidance. There is significant evidence that 20mph limits in residential areas has a positive impact on road safety.
“We have only to contrast the proactivity of the council in Edinburgh to its public consultation with the damp squib of the Dundee SNP council to highlight the fizz having gone out of a council administration which lacks the necessary drive and enthusiasm to move this policy forward.”
The 20mph zones would be introduced in areas where residents had suggested they would be helpful and would not affect major routes.
Mr Dawson said Mr Macpherson should have raised these concerns at the committee meeting.
“He agreed to this trial and never mentioned anything along these lines at community when we agreed to a trial,” he said.
“What we want to do here is make sure it makes a difference, which we think it will, before we spend money on replacing signs.
“I think Fraser needs to calm himself down a bit. He got the consultation. One of the areas we are trailing is an area requesting it the most. If Fraser wanted to say other things he had the perfect opportunity to do so.”
