Friday April 4th 2025
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A 50 mph speed limit pilot scheme is to be introduced across four roads in the South of Scotland from next week.
The aim of trial starting on Monday 7th April is to improve road safety for all road users and reduce the amount of motorcycle crashes and fatalities.
For a period of 18 months, temporary 50 mph speed limits will be introduced on the A6088, B6357, A708 and A7 north of Galashiels.
The pilot is a joint initiative involving Scottish Borders Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council and Police Scotland’s Road Policing unit in response to an increase in motorcycle crashes and casualties on rural roads.
The trial has been made possible by funding from Transport Scotland’s £10m Road Safety Improvement Fund that helps introduce road safety measures at specific locations where there is a history of injuries and collisions.
In Scotland, over the five years up to 2023, motorcyclists accounted for 16 per cent of fatalities, but less than one per cent of traffic, with data also showing that crashes involving motorcycles are more likely to occur on 60mph A class roads.
Following the trial, data relating to the trial will be collated and evaluated and a consultation will be carried out as part of the decision-making process on whether to retain the 50mph speed limits or revert to national speed limit.
Repeater 50mph signs will be installed at regular intervals along these routes for the duration of the trial with additional signage to be located on stretches of road that are known to be non-compliance areas to act as an additional reminder to all vehicles to check their speed.
Councillor John Greenwell, SBC’s executive member for Roads and Public Space Development, said: “Motorcyclists from across the whole of the United Kingdom are attracted to the Scottish Borders for its roads, scenery, and natural beauty spots.
“We know from looking at the data that motorcycle crashes and fatalities are disproportionate to the amount of these types of vehicles that are on our roads, and it is our duty to promote safer driving any way we can.
“Run in conjunction with Police Scotland, this trial will allow us to examine over an 18-month period how a reduced speed limit changes the behaviour of motorcyclists visiting our region and if this is something that could potentially be introduced on a more permanent basis.”
Sergeant Dave Waddel, Police Scotland Roads Policing Department, said: “The majority of killed and seriously injured collisions in the Scottish Borders do not take place in towns or villages, but on open country roads and that is where our casualty reduction efforts are focussed.
“The A7, A708, A6088, and B6357 are popular recreational routes for motorcyclists, and they continue to feature in road policing patrol plans for the 2025 Motorcycle Safety Campaign. This will involve patrol and enforcement activity in both marked and unmarked vehicles by Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit.
“In recent years Police Scotland Safety Cameras has carried out short term deployments over the summer period on the A708 in order to improve speed limit compliance. These short-term deployments will continue, and it is hoped that drivers/riders will be influenced to remain within the speed limit and reduce the risk on the road for all road users.”
Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said: “Road safety is a priority for the Scottish Government and its partners, and we remain absolutely committed to working together to reach our ambitious goal of making Scotland’s roads the safest in the world by 2030.
“The Road Safety Improvement Fund aims to support local authorities save lives on the local road network. This pilot project from Scottish Borders Council, Dumfries & Galloway Council and Police Scotland is an excellent example of the funding being used to support targeted action to reduce casualties.
“We must never lose sight of the fact that one death on our roads is one too many.”
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