A report in medical journal The Lancet says NINE MILLION people worldwide died as a result of pollution in 2015. Charity Living Streets is calling for clean air zones to tackle toxic traffic fumes across the UK. Continue reading Campaign group Living Streets calls for clean air zones to tackle killer pollution
Demand for the Queensferry Crossing has been ‘unprecedented’ since it came into operation in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The new bridge became fully open to traffic just before 3am, when Police Scotland redirected the first drivers from the Forth Road Bridge. Early indications are that traffic will be just as heavy today so drivers are being urged to allow adequate time for their journeys.
As predicted, given the novelty of the bridge, traffic was exceptionally busy with many people looking to experience it for the first time. Peak traffic began earlier than usual yesterday from around 6am and continued throughout the day, with drivers experiencing lengthy delays..
Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “With the opening of the Queensferry Crossing, we are seeing the culmination of the biggest infrastructure project that Scotland has seen for a generation.
“The Scottish people have been so engaged with it at every step of its development. It is a fantastic structure and the weather this morning proved a perfect backdrop for all those who wanted to be a part of this historic day. This is leading to large volumes of traffic on the approaches which is causing some delays.
“People are very excited about this opportunity and we appreciate the patience that they are showing when waiting to cross. We would ask drivers wishing to use the new Crossing to leave plenty of time for their journeys and to check the Traffic Scotland Twitter feed and website for the latest information on journey times before they set-off.”
Speaking yesterday afternoon, Traffic Scotland Operator Manager Stein Connelly said: “It has been a busy day at The National Traffic Control Centre with the opening of the new crossing and drivers experiencing the road layout for the first time.
“The bridge itself is free flowing but there are delays on the approach roads – mainly down to the volume of traffic looking to cross the new bridge. We expect this to continue into the evening and would strongly urge people to check the latest travel situation before they set off on their journey and to leave plenty of extra time.
“We are looking forward to a really busy time with the celebratory events in the next few days. We are encouraging people to really think about their travel plans and to avoid the area if they can at the weekend and at the beginning of next week. Traffic will switch back onto the Forth Road Bridge on Friday for the these opening events and road users should check The Forth Bridges website for all of the details.”
All road traffic will use the Queensferry Crossing again today with the Forth Road Bridge open to cyclists and pedestrians only.
All traffic will use the Forth Bridge from tomorrow (Friday 1st September) until Wednesday 6 September to allow for the Queensferry Crossing opening celebrations. The new Queensferry Crossing will re-open to all traffic on 7 Septembe, and from this date the Forth Road Bridge will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians only, while roadworks to the north are completed.
Delays are already being reported on the approaches to the Queensferry Crossing this morning, and motorists are advised to allow plenty of time for their journeys.
Mascots from Hibs and Hearts joined 20mph ‘champion’ The Reducer, local politicians and officers from Police Scotland on the track at Meadowbank Sports Centre yesterday to mark the kick-off of the latest stage in Edinburgh’s rollout of slower speeds in residential and shopping streets. Continue reading Mascots kick off Phase 2 of 20mph rollout
A gentle reminder that the new 20mph speed limits came into operation at midnight. Look out for signs and road markings and watch your speed!
Four drivers have been charged following a police operation at the Jewel on Tuesday. Police Scotland road policing officers stopped 48 vehicles in an ongoing operation to reduce road casualties and crime on the A1. Continue reading Drivers charged following police operation
The rollout of 20mph speed limits on Edinburgh’s streets continues, with phase two coming into force one week today on 28 February – and this time it’s us!
Continue reading Counting down: 20mph speed limit in North Edinburgh one week today
The city council’s rollout of 20mph speed limits for residential and shopping streets continues, with new signs and lines starting to be installed for Phase 2 from December. Continue reading 20mph roll-out continues: next time it’s North
A programme of maintenance and inspection work on one of Edinburgh’s North Bridge is underway. Continue reading Work underway on North Bridge facelift
Police Scotland and Sustrans Scotland joined city council Transport Convener Lesley Hinds and mascot The Reducer today to mark the launch of the first zone in the Capital’s new 20mph limit rollout.
Phase 1 of the rollout of a 20mph speed limit on all residential, shopping and city centre streets in the Capital goes live on Sunday (31 July), when a Traffic Regulation Order formalising the reduction in the speed limit comes into force.
The Transport and Environment Committee approved a new speed limit network for Edinburgh in January last year following extensive public consultation with local communities, businesses and other stakeholders.
In becoming Scotland’s first 20mph city, Edinburgh follows a growing number of European and UK cities (eg Bristol, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cambridge and much of inner London) in introducing slower speeds. The project extends 20mph speed limits to approximately 80% of Edinburgh’s streets and the council says there is strong support from city residents for the move.
The new speed limits are aimed at increasing safety for all road users as well as creating a calmer, more people-friendly environment in shopping and residential streets. A network of key arterial roads across the city will be retained at 30mph and 40mph.
Slower speeds bring many benefits to places and people. They help to reduce the risk and severity of collisions, encourage people to walk and cycle and spend more time in an area, boosting trade for local businesses.
The reduced speed makes it easier to cross roads, particularly for children and older people.
In preparation for the ‘go live’ on Sunday, large 20mph signs have been erected in Zone 1 over the past few weeks, marking the entrance and exit of a 20mph area where the speed limit is changing. These are supplemented by smaller repeater signs or road markings with speed limit roundels.
As part of the 20mph programme, existing signage is being reviewed and reinforced. Any existing signage which is no longer needed will be removed and reused where possible.
Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “Slower speeds bring many benefits to the urban environment, making streets more people-friendly, promoting active travel (and thereby improving public health) and reducing the risk and severity of road collisions. The majority of Edinburgh residents support our 20mph scheme and we know that other local authorities in the rest of Scotland are closely monitoring our experience.
“We’ve been working towards this rollout for a number of years now and I’m delighted to see the first phase going live. Changing driver behaviour is not an overnight thing, obviously, and it will take a bit of time for it to become second nature. Experience here from our South Edinburgh pilot and from schemes elsewhere shows that support for 20mph increases after implementation as people welcome the benefits.
“We’ll continue to help people adapt to the new limit throughout the rollout, through awareness raising and education campaigns.”
Chief Inspector Mark Rennie of Police Scotland said: “We remain committed to casualty reduction on our roads and whenever we observe motorists disobeying the 20mph speed limit, or where the public tell us there is an ongoing problem, we will respond appropriately.
“Changes to road layouts, proper signage and continued engagement with the public are the keys to ensuring the speed limit is adhered to, however, police will give due attention to areas around schools to ensure public safety.”
The Reducer will champion city 20mph initiative
Edinburgh is the first city in Scotland implementing a citywide 20mph network. The new limit aims to reduce the risk and severity of road collisions, encourage travel on foot and by bike and help make the city’s streets more people-friendly.
Continue reading Meet The Reducer!
