20mph Bill Latest - Urgent Help Needed

We have received an urgent request from Mark Ruskell for extra support for the 20mph bill which is looking on shakey ground. Although Glasgow City Council have signed up to make all residential areas 20mph, the Transport Minister is opposing making this a standard approach across all council areas. Failing to pass this bill will make it much harder, lengthier and more costly for any councils who do want to implement 20mph zones. As long term backers of 20mph, we hope our members can add further support to the bill.

I’m writing to let you know where my Safer Streets 20 mph Bill is at in the parliamentary process and to ask for your help.
 
Firstly many thanks for engaging with the bill over the last two years, it has been a long haul and the case for 20mph as  the default speed limit on the streets where we live, work and play has  grown a lot stronger, as has public opinion  in favour. We know now that even a small reduction of speed on our  streets will save lives and hundreds of injuries every year. The support of your organisation has been invaluable.
 
Since December, the Rural Economy and Connectivity  Committee at Holyrood has been scrutinising the bill and there has been  strong evidence given from public health, road safety, active travel and  environmental organisations, as well as  councils, road engineers and others.
 
Unfortunately, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport Michael Matheson is now opposing the bill.
 
He wants to see the current approach to designating  small piecemeal 20 zones left in place. This is despite the current  system costing more and resulting in a postcode lottery.
 
He is writing to councils to ask how the  designation system could be made simpler, but we already know after  nearly 3 years of research what councils think. The majority want to see  20mph as a default limit, while retaining a limited number  of through roads at 30mph. My bill allows this to happen. Five councils  have now stopped their roll out of 20 zones until the bill comes into  force.
 
Right now it looks like the motoring lobby have  won, but there is still a chance we can make all of Scotland’s streets  safer and healthier by putting pressure on the Scottish Government to  back my bill at the Stage 1 vote in the weeks to  come.
 
The First Minister has been supportive of what the  bill is trying to achieve, but right now needs to hear why her  government must back it. Please contact Nicola Sturgeon and let her know  the difference 20mph would make to your community  and that the bill is the best way to deliver it across Scotland.
 
Email firstminister@gov.scot
 
In addition, if you were able to email your own MSPs that could also help to tip the balance in our favour. Many thanks.
 
Kind Regards,
 
Mark

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