50-mph trial extended with £75k cash
A 50-mph speed limit trial in the Scottish Borders is to be extended with £75k of Transport Scotland funding after a significant reduction in deaths and injuries.
Scottish Borders Council (SBC) launched the new road safety initiative for motorcyclists and young drivers 18 months ago.
The 50-mph speed limit trial has been in place on the A7, A708, A6088 and B6357 since April 2025 as part of efforts to improve road safety and reduce road casualties.
Early findings indicate a significant reduction in the number of people being killed and injured on these routes, and the trial will now be extended to April 2028.
An independent evaluation found that the number of casualties across all road user groups fell from 22 in 2024 to eight in 2025.
On the A6088, there were three motorcycle fatalities in 2024, compared with no casualties involving any road user group in 2025.
On the A7, casualties fell from 15 in 2024 to five in 2025.
The scheme has been funded through Transport Scotland’s Road Safety Improvement Fund, and extending the scheme willallow further data to be gathered and analysed before a final decision is made.
In addition,SBC has secured £75,000 from Transport Scotland’s Road Safety Framework Fund to deliver the new Scottish Borders Riders and Drivers Safety Initiative.
The initiative will provide additional training opportunities for 200 motorcyclists and 200 young drivers, helping participants build on the skills and knowledge gained through their initial riding or driving test.
SBC will work with a range of partners to deliver the scheme, including Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and local instructors.
An independent evaluation undertaken by Edinburgh Napier Universitywill assess the programme’s impact and identify lessons for future road safety interventions.
Councillor John Greenwell, SBC’s Executive Member for Roads and Public Space Development, said: “Following the reduction in road casualties since the introduction of the 50mph trial, an extension of the initiative is very welcome.
“Unfortunately, motorcyclists and young drivers appear in the crash data proportionally more than other road users, so the opportunity of this external funded training is fantastic.
“I would encourage parents and carers of young drivers to encourage their young people to take up the free training opportunities that will be available in the new year.”
Stephen Flynn, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport, said: “I am pleased that the Scottish Government is providing £75,000 to support this vital road safety initiative for motorcyclists and young drivers in the Scottish Borders.
“The Scottish Borders Riders and Drivers Safety Initiative will help participants gain additional skills and experience beyond their initial test, supporting safer journeys for everyone using the region’s road network.
“Road safety initiatives such as this will help us move closer to our long-term vision of a Scotland where nobody is killed or seriously injured on our roads.”
Both projects form part of SBC’s ongoing commitment to improving road safety and reducing deaths and serious injuries across the road network, particularly among vulnerable road users.”