THE speed limit in Scotland’s urban areas could be reduced from 30mph to 20mph, thanks to a Green party bill.

The Restricted Roads (20mph Speed Limit) (Scotland) Bill has been introduced at Holyrood, with Green MSP Mark Ruskell stating it could be law by the end of 2019.

The proposal, which enjoys strong public support and received more than 2000 responses in a consultation last year, is backed by a range of health experts, safety campaigners and Scottish cyclist Mark Beaumont.

The bill, which has received cross-party support, will now go to a parliamentary committee for scrutiny.

Ruskell, who is an MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife believes having a 20mph speed limit in urban areas would reduce injuries and deaths and cut air pollution.

The bill is backed by the British Heart Foundation, the British Lung Foundation and road safety charity Brake.

It would mean councils no longer have to go through a lengthy and costly application process to set up a 20mph zone but could still designate 30mph routes in consultation with communities.

Earlier this year economic organisation the OECD called for 20mph speed limits in built-up areas, joining other international bodies such as the World Health Organisation, the Global Network for Road Safety Legislators and the International Road Assessment Programme.

Ruskell said: “As a local councillor and as an MSP I have seen first-hand the frustration of communities that want lower speed limits but find the current process overly complicated. By making 20mph the norm in built-up areas we can end this frustration and provide the clarity that residents and motorists deserve.

“It’s clear that a lower limit will mean safer streets, and I’m delighted that my bill enjoys widespread public support, the backing of safety gro-ups, health experts, local authority chiefs and campaigners such as Mark Beaumont. I look forward to it being examined by Parliament in the months ahead.”

Friends of the Earth Scotland air pollution campaigner Emilia Hanna said: “Twenty miles per hour zones make our streets safer and fairer for everyone using them and are a vital part of the solution to air pollution.

“The faster people drive, the greater the risk of accidents, and the more off-putting it is for people to walk and cycle. Cars dominate our streets far too much already. There needs to be a much more of a level playing field between pedestrians, cyclists, public transport users and drivers. Slowing traffic is a key way to achieve this.

“Everyone in our town and cities should be able to feel safe to walk, cycle, and play in their neighbourhoods and slowing the traffic to 20mph is just the way to help achieve friendlier, safer and cleaner neighbourhoods.

“There is also evidence that cars driving faster in built-up areas produce more air pollution as they have to frequently speed up and slow down as hazards appear.”

Mark Beaumont, who holds the record for cycling round the world after travelling 18,000 miles in fewer than 79 days, said: “It’s a bit of an odd statement for someone who holds the record for being fastest round the world on a bike, but we need to slow down.

“It’s great to see Mark Ruskell’s bill in the Scottish Parliament helping build the momentum on this issue and I hope we see it become law in the near future. This is about saving lives, reducing injuries and improving public health and enjoyment by making our streets safer.”