Drivers will be forced to slow down as a council plans to switch a large number of its roads to 20mph next month as part of a nationwide speed limit rollout.
The changes announced by East Renfrewshire Council form part of a major push by the Scottish Government to introduce lower speed limits on appropriate roads in built-up areas across the country.
Councils have spent several years reviewing their road networks to decide where the lower limits should apply, with residential streets the main focus of the scheme.
Officials said the aim of the rollout was to improve road safety and make neighbourhoods safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
A Government spokesperson said: “Lower speed limits on appropriate roads will help reduce the number of people killed or injured on Scotland’s roads and support safer, more liveable neighbourhoods.”
Glasgow is among the latest councils to implement the policy, with new 20mph restrictions due to come into force on many local streets next month.
The changes will largely affect residential areas and busy urban streets with a higher number of pedestrians, although major routes through the city are expected to remain at 30mph.
Across Scotland, every local authority has assessed its roads and identified where the reduced limits should be introduced.
The aim of the new 20mph follows reports of fewer road casualties at lower speed limits | PATransport Scotland has been working closely with councils to ensure the nationwide rollout is completed before the end of the financial year.
East Renfrewshire Council brought 20mph restrictions into force on residential streets from December 1 last year, with the hope of having the remaining roads operate at lower speeds by next month.
Councillors approved the necessary Traffic Regulation Order at a full council meeting in October 2025, allowing the changes to proceed once signs were installed.
The council said the current order mainly applies to residential roads, but that certain sections of main routes could be reduced in the future.
New 20mph speed limits will be rolled out from next month
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PAAreas near schools and town centres are among those being considered for further reductions because of higher pedestrian numbers.
Research cited by officials suggests that pedestrians hit by vehicles travelling at 20mph have around a sevenfold higher chance of survival than those struck at 30mph.
Data from 2024 revealed that more than two-thirds of pedestrian casualties occurred on roads with 30mph limits.
Cyclists were also heavily affected, with 55 per cent of cyclist casualties taking place on these roads, the data stated.
The 20mph speed limit proposals hoped to help create safer roads | PAMotorcyclists and car occupants accounted for 34 per cent and 33 per cent of casualties respectively on 30mph routes.
Authorities also believe slower speeds could encourage more people to walk or cycle for short local journeys.
Highland Council monitored more than 250 locations after rolling out 20mph limits across the region, with a reduction in both vehicle speeds and collision rates.
The programme was fully funded by the Scottish Government, with the final Traffic Regulation Order approved in May 2025.
