Our story so far
Find out the process we took to become a 20mph city.
March 2008
Portsmouth becomes the UK’s first 20mph city! Other UK cities are quick to follow suit.
March 2012
A 20mph pilot project is trialled in south Edinburgh. The results are positive, with 79% supportive of the new speed limit and only 4% against it.
January 2014
The Local Transport Strategy 2014 - 2019 is approved. Following this, the Transport Forum meet to finalise the criteria for the city’s streets to be included in the 20mph network.
June 2014
Edinburgh is consulted on extending the pilot to a citywide scheme. The majority of the respondents are in favour.
January 2015
Public consultation is held to determine which roads to include. All comments are carefully considered before the Transport and Environmnent Committee decide to go ahead with a citywide 20mph network.
January 2016
Speed limit order is approved to allow works to start.
March 2016
Monitoring programe begins. Vehicle speeds, public perceptions and number of accidents are measured. This will help assess the impact of the initiative over time.
June 2016
- Edinburgh hosts the national 20’s plenty conference.
- Signs go up for Phase 1 in the City Centre and Rural West. These are not enforceable until the new speed limits becomes law on 31 July 2016.
- A competition in partnership with Edinburgh’s primary schools leads to the creation of our 20mph mascot “The Reducer”.
July 2016
- The 20mph road show visits community events, gala days and Edinburgh’s play day. Support is growing.
- The first legal limits comes into force. Edinburgh becomes Scotland’s first city to introduce 20mph on a citywide basis.
August 2016
Police Scotland commence with speed checks and enforcement.
September 2016
Junior Road Safety Officers (JRSOs) from primary schools across Edinburgh meet with the Reducer at the JRSO Launch in the City Chambers and find out more about the 20mph project.
November 2016
Partner support for the scheme is high. Police Scotland, NHS Lothian and Royal Mail brand their appliances with 20mph logos.
February 2017
Phase 2 of the network (North and South Central / East) comes into effect. The launch is attended by Hibs and Hearts football team mascots.
April 2017
Cyclists gather outside the Scottish Parliament calling for more funding for active travel and safer street design. They also show their support for 20mph.
August 2017
Phase 3 of the network (West and North West) comes into effect. Children from Murrayfield nursery school bring their 20mph artwork along to the launch.
March 2018
Final phase of the 20mph network goes live in South Edinburgh. A ‘Glow in the Dark’ bike ride is held to mark the end of the rollout.
2019
A full assessment of the impact of 20mph limits was reported to the Transport and Environment Committee. on 11 October 2019