Peebles to Peel Backroads Questionnaire

Closed 31 Mar 2021

Opened 5 Mar 2021

Contact

SBC Road Safety

roadsafety@scotborders.gov.uk

Feedback updated 10 Jun 2021

We asked

We asked for your views on the ongoing trial of a temporary reduced speed limit of 40mph for vehicles on the backroads between Peebles and Peel.

We wanted to know if the reduced speed limit helped encourage more walking and cycling on these backroads and if there was support for a more permanent change to the speed limit.

You said

442 people responded to our survey

The survey showed that:

  • 146 people (33%) were less likely to walk or cycle since the introduction of the trial 40mph on these roads
  • 114 people (26%) were more likely to walk or cycle since the introduction of the trial 40mph on these roads
  • 173 people (39%) would like to see the 40mph signs removed and the road revert back to national speed limit between Peebles and Innerleithen
  • 231 (52%) would not like to see the 40mph signs removed and the road revert back to national speed limit between Peebles and Innerleithen
  • 215 (49%) would like the lowered 40mph speed limit removed between Innerleithen and Walkerburn
  • 199 (45%) would not like the lowered 40mph speed limit removed between Innerleithen and Walkerburn
  • 232 (52%) would like the lowered 40mph speed limit removed between Walkerburn and Peel
  • 187 (42%) would not like the lowered 40mph speed limit removed between Walkerburn and Peel

We did

After carefully considering the data, which indicated that motorists would be in favour of a specific section of the road reverting back to 60mph, the stretch of road between Walkerburn (east) and the Craigmyle turn off will return to the national speed limit.

All other sections of the road will remain at 40mph and the trial will continue.

Overview

As part of the Scottish Government funded Spaces for People programme the Council temporarily reduced the speed limit from a national speed limit of 60mph for cars to 40mph for all vehicles along the backroads between Peebles and Peel for a trial period.  The aim of this trial was to determine if the public would benefit from the reduced speed limit ‘…. to ensure that people can walk, cycle and wheel during this public health emergency whilst physically distancing and keeping safe from traffic.’ 

We have received some concerns from residents who live along the back roads between Peebles and Peel who believe that the temporary signed 40mph speed reduction has had the unintended consequence of increasing vehicle speeds as drivers may now see the 40mph signs as a target speed instead of a maximum speed. 

Due to the length of these back roads the Council took the decision not to carry out speed monitoring a survey would only provide a record of a specific point.  The intention was that the outcome of this trial would be determined by the views of the communities and road users, with feedback originally planned for Spring 2021, however as concerns have been raised recently the Council are keen to determine views sooner rather than later on how the trial is being perceived locally.

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • Transport