fbpx

Reacting to the announcement that Glasgow will adopt 20mph safety limits, Friends of the Earth Scotland air pollution campaigner Gavin Thomson commented,

“We welcome Glasgow Council’s decision to introduce 20mph safety limits across the city. There are huge air quality and public health gains to be made from 20mph speed limits. 20mph limits result in fewer accident rates, lower traffic levels and will also tackle a key barrier to cycling which is fear of fast, dangerous vehicles.

“Children growing up in our town and cities should be able to feel safe to walk, cycle, and play in their neighbourhoods, and slowing the traffic to 20mph is just the way to help achieve a friendlier, safer, and cleaner Glasgow.

“Glasgow’s decision to join Edinburgh in adopting 20mph limits makes the Scottish Parliament’s rejection of a Bill that would have implemented a similar plan nationwide all the more frustrating. At a time when Councils are cash-strapped, MSPs cowered from making a nationwide change that would have made it easier and cheaper to roll-out 20mph limits. “

“The UN climate negotiations coming to Glasgow in 2020 should be a wake-up call. Our transport system is unsustainable so we must start prioritising greener transport over fossil fuelled cars, otherwise keep wrecking the climate and choking on toxic fumes.”
ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Citywide 20mph speed limit for Glasgow approved unanimously by City Admin Committee today. More information https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/councillorsandcommittees/viewSelectedDocument.asp?c=P62AFQDN0GNTNTT12U

2. Tweet confirming by Anna Richardson, Glasgow City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction https://twitter.com/AnnaLangside/status/1220346273548488704?s=20

3. Mark Ruskell MSP Safer Streets Bill voted down by MSPs in June 2019 https://foe.scot/press-release/msps-vote-down-safer-streets-bill/

4. Friends of the Earth Scotland is
* Scotland’s leading environmental campaigning organisation
* An independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland
* Part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 75 national member groups, and some 5,000 local activist groups.