Thousands sign petition protesting council’s 20mph restrictions

The moves comes amid growing frustration at the way the £600,000 programme has been rolled out amid an outcry from motorists and politicians opposed to it.

A motion calling for wholesale survey of traffic safety raised by councillor Bruce Fairbairn was rejected by Provost Tom Kerr from a meeting of the full West Lothian Council last week and fellow Tory councillor Charles Kennedy questioned way the scheme had been rolled out and what funding options for the future are.

He said after the meeting: “ I asked if the contract was completed and was told it was, “substantially”, but it has not been checked and made safe. It is not something the council should be made to pay for, it should be part of the contract and it is a failure of the contract if there is not the funding to check and make safe when the work is done before signing it off.”

Broxburn’s Tory councillor, Chris Horne said Ecclesmachen in his ward had waited weeks for the signs though they had now been put up, and the belief by traffic experts was “ the whole scheme was done far too fast and without proper consultation or communication. ”

He said he had had experience of being berated by other road users for driving at 20mph and, anecdotally, there was evidence from across the county of similar incidents. On the street where he lives it is 20mph if you are heading west and 30mph if you are heading east.

He added: “Outside my house still remain signs advising you are in a new 30mph zone when it is in reality supposed to be a 20 mph zone.

“While the 20mph arrangements may be beneficial and even the bus stop alterations may have a benefit it is essential that this work is implemented correctly and safely and that our constituents and road users are properly advised and it is clear this is not the case.”

Councillor Kennedy added: “My other point was how do we fund this going forward if they are to be removed or maintained?

“I have no quibble with the policy of introducing lower speed limits but it should be part of a wider package of safety measures.”

The petition launched on Change.org described the scheme – similar to others across Scotland - as “one of the most uncalled for and forced ever performed by West Lothian Council.”

A council spokesman said: “The speed limit reductions are now legally enforceable. As with all road traffic offences, these speed limits will be enforced by Police Scotland.

“Whilst the temporary 20mph signage in the majority of our towns and villages was completed appropriately, we acknowledge that issues have occurred in a small number of locations. Initial supply issues as a result of pandemic restrictions and numerous cases of vandalism to signage have contributed to anomalies appearing in some areas.

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