20mph Speed Limits Around Schools

The Scottish Executive wishes to see the introduction of 20 mph speed limits outside schools and is providing funding for local authorities, totalling £27 million between 2003-04 and 2005-06, for the introduction of 20 mph speed limits around schools, safer routes to school projects and the development of home zones. It is for each local authority to determine its priorities. Funding for the initiative was announced in September 2003. To see the press release, click here.

In 2003, 73 children were killed or seriously injured on journeys to and from school, compared with 191 in 1994.

In relation to 20 mph schemes, local authorities can implement:

mandatory 20 mph zones, featuring engineering measures (traffic calming, road humps etc)
mandatory 20 mph speed limits indicated by standard speed limit signs;
mandatory part-time 20 mph speed limits, which operate at times when children are going to or from school. These are indicated by electronic signs with flashing lights and are particularly suitable for through roads as delays and disruption to traffic is minimised;
advisory 20 mph speed limits, which are suitable for discrete residential areas with little or no through traffic. These are also indicated by special signs.

There is a particular issue relating to roads with speed limits higher than 30 mph. These are mainly rural roads. Some rural schools are situated on roads subject to a 60 mph speed limit, where a permanent 20 mph speed limit is inappropriate. Guidance for local authorities, issued by the Executive in March, recommended the use of part-time speed limits associated with other measures. This was "announced" by the Minister at the World Health Day event at Hampden on 7 April.

20 mph schemes should not be seen in isolation. They form part of a package, along with safer routes to school initiatives, funded through Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets allocations. The aim is to improve road safety and to encourage more children to walk or cycle to school. This is better for their health and for the environment.