A former local authority roads director is calling for a “blanket” introduction of 20mph speed zones in an east Perthshire town where a toddler was tragically knocked down.
Ronnie McNeil, 66, who was director of roads with Angus Council from 2001-2006 and a former depute director of roads from 1996-2001, said he is “very much” in favour of introducing the low limit throughout Coupar Angus, including on the A94 and A923.
The suggestion was made following the death of two-year-old Harlow Edwards on October 13 when she was walking home with sister Dionne, 17 and brother Leon, five, near the town’s Larghan Park.
Since then, local residents, including Steve and Sara Edwards, parents of Harlow, have spoken out at council and community council meetings asking for the introduction of the 20mph speed zones in Coupar Angus.
Perth and Kinross Council then decided to made a series of changes to discourage speeding in the town, including alterations to road signage to further flag up the 30mph speed limit, introducing vehicle activated signs on Forfar Road and bringing in a part-time 20mph speed limit and associated flashing beacon signs in Forfar Road in the vicinity of the school and Larghan Park.
However, Mr McNeil feels these measures do not go far enough.
“In my personal opinion, all roads which are currently 30mph should be 20mph but that would require both political will and a different enforcement regime from the one currently in place,” he said.
“A lower speed limit in urban areas would reduce the number and severity of injuries to pedestrians and other road users, encourage more cycling and walking. In addition, it would reduce air pollution and fossil fuel consumption.”
He continued: “With regard to Coupar Angus in particular, I would suggest a mandatory 20mph on the A94 from a point south of the junction with the A923 to the current 30mph signs on the A923 and A94 north of Coupar Angus.
“This would be a relatively cheap solution compared to full traffic calming measures such as road humps, pedestrian crossings and barriers.”
Meanwhile, Coupar Angus resident Michael Gallagher claims the current speed limit on Forfar Road is “unenforceable.”
“It would appear that the 30mph limit on Forfar Road between the junction with Larghan View and the 30mph signs — a distance of 200 metres — is unenforceable, because there is no street lighting as required under section 82 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984,” he commented.
“This should have been rectified when the 30mph signs were moved in 2007.
“The presence of street lights at no more than 185 metre intervals is what defines a restricted speed area in Scotland. Certainly, drivers heading eastwards out of town tend to start speeding up when they get to Larghan Park.”
Perth and Kinross Council will discuss a motion on Wednesday, put forward by Councillors Lewis Simpson and Willie Robertson, to ‘bring forward a safety strategy’ with emphasis on 20mph speed zones and limits.
