Plans for a blanket 20mph zone in the Kinnoull area of Perth have been abandoned, after councillors decided there was no evidence it would improve road safety.
Members of the enterprise and infrastructure committee voted in favour of overturning an earlier decision to impose the lower limit on a number of the city’s streets.
The move followed the receipt of an “unprecedented” number of objections from locals 16 in all who branded the “fanciful scheme” a “gross waste of taxpayers’ money”, claiming those who already exceed the speed limit would take no notice of a reduction and pointing to a lack of speed-related accidents in the area.
Councillor Dave Doogan told the meeting: “The only road you have any chance of getting up to 30mph on is Muirhall Road, and that’s not included (in the plans). It’s not going to add any value to road safety.”
Councillor John Flynn warned that introducing a blanket ban could set a “precedent”.
He said: “There’s no evidence to suggest there’s been accidents (in that area). If we agree to this then we are setting a precedent. What’s to stop Letham or Craigie (asking for a 20mph limit) and then we have a 20mph across the whole of Perth.
“My understanding is that ‘20s Plenty’ was introduced around schools; if we introduce this, it would diminish that message.”
Councillor Ann Gaunt, who was one of two councillors to vote against abandoning the plans, said: “The reason for introducing 20mph limits is for road safety. If it saves a child from being killed or severely injured then I think it’s worth it.”