I wonder if any others have seen this "consultation" by the Scottish Gov ? "This consultation invites feedback on proposals to lower the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60 mph to 50 mph and to increase speed limits for goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes on single carriageways from 40 mph to 50 mph and dual carriageways from 50 mph to 60 mph." The online consultation can be found at: https://consult.gov.scot/transport-scotland/national-speed-management-review/ Its a bit of a boring read but perhaps on a wet day it might be a good use of 1/4 of an hour to fill in the consultation and express your opinions about the proposals. Maybe if enough people or organisations point out the shortsightedness of this "one strand strategy" (where it is widely reported that only 1 in 5 accidents investigated was excess speed identified as a significant factor!) something genuine maybe done to actually improve safety for everyone such as consistent good quality road surfaces, clear and accurate road markings / signage on all roads, rather than a possible cash generation scheme wrapped up as a safety measure . Another recent article (28th Nov) in the National Scottish press suggesting that certain roads within the Scottish borders used regularly by motorcycles should have reduced limits yet again to "improve safety". 28 November 2024 / BBC Scotland / South "A community leader has welcomed proposals to reduce speed limits on four popular motorbiking roads in the Scottish Borders. The Police Scotland plans, which are backed by Scottish Borders Council, are for 50mph (80km/h) limits to be introduced on four roads from March. The routes are the A7 north of Galashiels, the B6357 from the Carter Bar, the A708 Moffat to Selkirk and the A6088 from Kielder to Bonchester Bridge. Philip Mark Kerr from Southdean Community Council said any measure to cut the number of crashes had to be welcomed. The Scottish Borders is a popular area with motorcyclists - particularly during the summer months.There have been a number of initiatives in the past to try to improve safety - including patrols by an unmarked police motorbike. The latest one will see the trial 50mph limit introduced in March 2025 and evaluated in September 2026. A consultation will be carried out at that point on whether to retain the limit or revert to 60mph " Cheers Th'ed(ret)
I know exactly what you mean AJ , but maybe just maybe if a fair few people point out the errors in their thinking it might make a difference. Here's hoping mate Cheers
Something I didn't realise but was pointed out to me by Mrs Visor is that if you change the speed limit of a road then you change its classification and therefore the priority required for repair and standard of said repair, so by changing a road to a 50mph road it is no longer classed as a fast road and all of the above apply. Seems to me it then becomes more about money saving and less about safety
I've seen this, or heard it, somewhere before but can't remember the source and mentioned it to a few riding buddies but they'd never heard of it. A nice easy way for the councils to get out of their obligations and save a few quid
I sincerley hope Scotland does not go the way of Wales. Riding here is a nightmare. The rules for 20mph have been applied differently in different counties.
I saw that and filled it in accordingly that it should remain the same, especially when their own data suggests that speed is rarely a factor!!! war on motorists has been waging for decades, mainly around revenue but regardless spoiling any fun for the enthusiasts
I have seen these proposals, consultation my backside, the few wielding power will push it through, in my area the council have placed average speed cameras (ASC) from Blackpool to Kirkby Lonsdale, and reduced the NSL from 60mph to 50mph. A blanket 20 mph limit in most residential areas, the ASC was imposed with no consultation, the route is a very popular with motorcyclists, the councillor who was instrumental in this is known to be anti motorcycling. The only way to really combat this is by more people joining MAG, at least they do have a voice at parliament level.
