Motorists have been warned they face fresh restrictions as multiple regions push ahead with 20mph speed limits, dealing another blow to drivers.
It comes after Fife Council approved sweeping changes that will see 20mph zones introduced across numerous towns and villages in North East Fife.
The new restrictions form part of broader plans to reduce urban speed limits, with the Scottish Government making changes to allow all appropriate urban roads to adopt 20mph limits by the end of 2025.
These developments come despite mixed public opinion and concerns from rural communities that blanket speed reductions fail to account for local road conditions.
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing[email protected]
The Scottish Government has approved plans to turn more roads into 20mph by the end of the year
GETTY
In North East Fife, the changes will affect multiple communities following decisions at the NE Fife Area Committee. Under the changes, Main Street and Station Road in Dairsie will operate at new 20mph limits, while Newport’s Cupar Road and Kirk Road face similar restrictions.
The East Neuk area will see 20mph zones planned for the A917 running through Elie, Pittenweem, Anstruther and Cellardyke. Elsewhere, the B913 St Andrews Road at Anstruther will also be reduced to 20mph, with additional 40mph buffer zones established on the A91 approachingDairsie and A917 approaching Elie.
Councillor Jonny Tepp said: “The introduction of these 20mph speed limits in our towns and villages is the best way to improve road safety and reduce the number of casualties on our roads.
“The evidence is clear that a pedestrian hit at 20mph is less likely to be seriously or fatally injured than if hit at 30mph.”
He added that the measures hope to make towns and villages safer for everyone, “especially our children and older or more vulnerable adults”.
“Reducing the limits ensures that drivers have more time to respond to unexpected events and significantly reduces the risk of fatal accidents,” he shared.
The proposals come after local communities called on the Scottish Government to address the speed limits in urban areas..
In addition to the restrictions, Fife council has also introduced new parking restrictions, with limited one-hour waiting introduced outside shops at 42-50 High Street in Elie from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The parking measure, requested by Elie and Earlsferrycommunity council, aims to improve customer access to local businesses.
Meanwhile, in Wales, Pembrokeshire County Council is conducting a comprehensive review of its 20mph implementations following significant community feedback.
The council ran a listening exercise from May to October 2024, which revealed widespread concerns about applying lower speed limits across the county’s largely rural road network.
Many residents, businesses and community representatives argued that introducing lower speeds failed to acknowledge Pembrokeshire’s diverse roads.
Pembrokeshire and Fife are currently planning on introducing more 20mph zones
PA
Councillor Rhys Sinnett said: “Where a speed limit review has been proposed, we will engage directly with local residents before moving to wider consultation and any formal changes.”
The Welsh Government’s default 20mph policy in built-up areas has sparked considerable debate across Wales since its introduction.
Despite the controversy, police data indicates a 28 per cent decrease in casualties on 20mph and 30mph roads throughout Wales.
In Pembrokeshire specifically, casualty numbers dropped from 125 to 89 over the same period due to the lower speed limits.