Plans to introduce more 20mph zones in Dumfries and Galloway

Plans have been tabled to expand trials of 20mph zones across Dumfries and Galloway - amid mixed opinions from motorists.

There has been a notable increase in the number of roads in the region where the speed limit has been reduced from 30mph over the last 12 months.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has now identified further locations where a 20mph limit will be enforced.

Meanwhile drivers and residents have contacted BBC's Your Voice to air their thoughts about reducing the speed limit.

Some have described them as "ridiculous" and argued there is "no point" in the zones.

But others on the streets of Dumfries have said the zones can cut accidents and improve survival rates if someone is struck by a vehicle.

New temporary limits on stretches of the A75, A77 and A701 in the region came into force last year and more are now being put in place along the A76.

A council report on the issue said monitoring so far had shown reduced average speeds in Stranraer, Annan and Lockerbie.

It also outlined plans to extend the scheme to Newton Stewart/Minnigaff, Gretna, Kirkcudbright, Kirkconnel/Kelloholm, Moffat, Sanquhar, Lochmaben, Thornhill and Eastriggs.

Springholm and Crocketford on the A75 are among the villages where the 20mph zone has already been introduced.

Derek Friend, 77, said he felt there was "no point" in the lower speed limit as there were already pelican crossings and there had been no accidents involving pedestrians.

Gemma Fisher, who lives in Springholm, agreed: "It's ridiculous, they've got traffic lights on either side of the village.

"It makes it more dangerous as you've got a big queue and you can't get out of the junction.

"I've heard people being impatient and overtaking in the 20s zone."

In Dumfries, Caroline Skimming said her concern was the A701 road between the town and Moffat.

"It's a main road to Glasgow and within a couple of miles you go from 20mph to 30mph to 20mph - some of it's not even within housing areas," she said.

"The police don't have the resources to police it anyway."

For David Fergusson, however, who lives in Locharbriggs, the limits are a good idea.

"There's less chance of accidents and, if you do hit somebody, there's more chance of them surviving," he said.

Fergusson did say he had seen frustrated drivers.

"A lot of folk just ignore it and some cars are going at 20mph and there are people behind them beeping, trying to hurry them up."

The temporary limits - in place for 18 months - aim to improve safety and encourage considerate driving.

Transport Scotland said research had shown that the 20mph limit significantly lowered the risk of serious injury in collisions.

Vehicle speeds will be monitored throughout the trial period and, if they are deemed a success, they will be made permanent.

The local authority said that while it implemented the changes the policy direction came from the Scottish government, supported by evidence that someone was seven times more likely to die if struck at 30mph than at 20mph.

Dumfries and Galloway Council's assessments identified that 75% of its 30mph roads met Scottish government criteria to be considered for the limits.

• Stranraer (permanent)
• Annan (permanent)
• Lockerbie (permanent)
• Langholm
• Heathhall/Locharbrigs
• Castle Douglas
• Dalbeattie
• Kirkconnel/Kelloholm (A76)
• Sanquhar (A76)
• Thornhill (A76)
• Springholm (A75)
• Crocketford (A75)
• Cairnryan (A77)
• Stranraer (A77)
• Carronbridge (A76)

All temporary unless otherwise stated

In the neighbouring Scottish Borders, 20mph zones have been in place since 2020 and became permanent in 2023.

Police also recently carried out enforcement action in one area which resulted in eight drivers being reported to the procurator fiscal.

The local authority said the limits in its region had achieved what they had been set up to do.

It said road casualty figures were heading in the right direction, while more active travel was also being encouraged.