Liberal Democrats have criticised Edinburgh Council’s ruling SNP/Labour administration for a “botched” roll out of the city wide 20mph project after an official review found average speeds to have reduced by only 1.34 miles per hour.
The report on Edinburgh Council’s 20mph project has been published today, Monday 7 October. It follows a formal review of scheme which was introduced across the city from May 2016 to March 2018.
The review found that;
– Speed monitoring at 66 locations before and after the project showed average speeds had reduced by just 1.34 miles per hour.
– Despite a major marketing campaign, 40% of people in the city said they had not seen any information about the 20mph roll out.
- Only one in five people in Edinburgh (21%) believed traffic speeds have actually reduced in their area.
– Police officers have issued less than 100 fines in the three years since the roll out project began, averaging just three fines every month.
– The final total cost of the project was £2.96m, 34% more than originally envisaged.
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman, Councillor Kevin Lang said,
“It is clear this 20mph project is still struggling to get out of first gear.
“After soaking up almost £3 million of public money, average speeds have fallen by just 1.34 miles per hour. Only a fifth of people say traffic speeds have reduced in their area.
“It is obvious that SNP and Labour councillors have botched what should have been a positive and transformative project. Their major advertising campaign failed to connect with the public. They relied on cardboard cutouts of police on street corners to change behaviour whilst real police officers said enforcement was not a priority.
“It shows much more work is needed if the promised improvements in road safety are going to be delivered. There is simply no room for complacency from the administration.”
The full report can be found here.