Aberdeen this week claims to have become the first city centre in Scotland to introduce a blanket 20mph zone.
Aberdeen City Council says the scheme will make the heart of the city ‘a safer and more pedestrian-friendly’ area.
Other local roads authorities in Scotland have introduced 20mph limits in some areas, but not on this scale in a city centre environment.
The authority approved the plan to introduce the central 20mph zone, excluding a primary distributor and dual-carriageway, in January. Officers told the city’s environment and infrastructure committee that all but one of the objections argued that the traffic order should include additional streets (Surveyor, 2 February).
The blanket zone created by a traffic order was chosen as part of a programme of works aimed at pedestrianising parts of the city centre in the future.
The new speed limit came into operation at the start of this week, following work to install new road markings and signage.
The new signage in the zone reportedly confused motorists as, in places, both 20mph and 30mph signs were visible at the same time.
The handful of speed cameras in operation have been reset to enforce the new limit. But the majority of enforcement will be carried out by police officers. At first, they will advise drivers to slow down, although a tougher stance will follow in about three months’ time. Officers will then target ‘hotspots’ where offenders persistently speed. Speeders caught would be subject to fines and possible court action.
Councillors were warned by residents in January that the limit would be unenforceable and ineffective, given the lack of traffic calming. However, officers said local conditions – including high volumes of pedestrians – gave optimism that average speeds of just over 20mph could be achieved.
Work will also start next week on a safety scheme at Market Street. The council hopes when complete, it will reduce city centre congestion substantially and pave the way for the proposed pedestrianisation of its main shopping street.
The existing roundabout at Market Street and Victoria Road will be replaced with traffic signals, and a new signalised junction introduced at the Market Street-Albert Quay junction.
The work is expected to last up to five months.