20mph zones under-fire

A Galashiels community stalwart has labelled the £1.2m spent on the introduction of 20mph speed limits in 80 towns and villages across the Borders as a waste of money.
20mph zones have divided opinion.20mph zones have divided opinion.
20mph zones have divided opinion.

It is fair to say that the spending from the Scottish government’s 18-month Spaces for People trial programme has divided opinion.

Hailed by some as a potential lifesaver, others have claimed it is actually making our roads more dangerous.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The issue again proved divisive when members of Galashiels Community Council met via an online gathering this week.

Community councillor Bill White is not a fan.

He said: “I think that money would have been much better spent linking up some of the cycleways we have got at the moment and reducing the vegetation on some of the roads,

“I saw a young lad on his bike on the Melrose Road the other day pedalling like hell because the cars just wouldn’t pass him. I don’t understand the idea of trying to get cyclists out onto these main roads. I would rather see the money spent on sorting out vegetation and potholes than to see 20mph zones. I would agree for this around schools and certain areas but not on arterial roads in and out of towns.”

Galashiels and district councillor Euan Jardine made a plea to give the scheme a chance, adding: “I’ve actually had a few elderly people get in touch to say they feel a wee bit safer crossing the roads because the cars are at 20mph. We need to let this scheme embed and for people to feed into the consultation.”