Trial details
50mph speed limit initiative
A 50mph speed limit pilot is to be introduced across four roads in the South of Scotland from April 2025 as part of a joint initiative between ourselves, Dumfries & Galloway Council and Police Scotland.
The new speed limit will apply across the A6088, B6357, A708 and A7 north of Galashiels.
The aim of the pilot is to improve road safety for all road users and reduce the amount of crashes and fatalities involving motorcycles on rural roads.
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.
Background
Funding has been made available to trial this reduced speed limit pilot after a 2024 Transport Scotland report showed motorcyclists are disporportionately likely to be injured or killed on our roads.
It showed that motorcyclists account for 16% of fatalities but less than 1% of traffic and that collisions are most likely to occur in 60mph A class roads.
Future Consultation
Following the trial an evaluation will be carried out examining the effectiveness of the temporary reduced speed limit and a consultation will take place on whether to retain the 50mph speed limits or revert to national speed limit.