Blanket road speed reduction policies economic impact analyses (EIA): EIR release
- Published
- 26 June 2025
- Topic
- Public sector, Transport
- FOI reference
- EIR/202500459127
- Date received
- 26 March 2025
- Date responded
- 11 April 2025
Information request and response under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004
Information requested
- Economic impact analyses (EIA) of the Scottish Government's policies for 1) the widespread reduction of 30mph speed limits to 20mph and 2) the blanket reduction of the national speed limit from 60mph to 50mph. Please would share with me the EIAs completed for the two policies, specifically highlighting the net economic impact of each.
- Share any reports on the likely consequence of such economic impacts.
- If any of these analyses are not available or have not been conducted, please would you explain to me why not.
Response
I enclose most of the information you requested.
The answer to your question is :
The policy proposals contained within the National Speed Management Review have been considered in accordance with Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance. Further information, including associated reports, can be found at: National Speed Management Review 2024 | Transport Scotland
The expansion of 20mph zones is project 2 of (Appendix B) the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) which informs the Scottish Government’s transport investment programme in Scotland over the next 20 years (2022 – 2042). This recommended a national approach to 20mph implementation, the assessment were carried out as part of this overall project and can be viewed in this link Strategic Transport Projects Review 2
Regarding the national implementation for 20 mph speed limits, as there are being delivered on local road networks , impact assessments are carried out by each local authority.
It is estimated that the average value of prevention per fatal collision on a built-up road in Scotland is just under £2.6 million and a serious injury collision is around £300,000.
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Contact
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Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
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