A CALL has been made for the speed limit to be cut to 40mph on some rural roads due to safety concerns on cycling routes.

The plea follows the publication of new research that has branded 57% of National Cycle Network routes in Scotland “very poor”.

All of the routes classified as “very poor” are on-road, and more than half (56%) of the issues on the network in Scotland are related to concerns about traffic safety.

A further 2% are classed as “poor” in the first ever UK-wide audit of the National Cycle Network, carried out by walking and cycling charity Sustrans Scotland.

The review makes 15 recommendations to improve the network, including reducing the speed limit to 20mph in urban areas and 40mph in rural areas where the routes are on-road.

“Scotland’s unique geography means that a large proportion of National Cycle Network routes here are based on rural roads,” said Sustrans Scotland national director John Lauder.

“While it is heartening to see that the majority of our off-road routes are ‘good’ or ‘very good’, which reflects the investment by the Scottish Government and the commitment by our partners, we still face a big challenge where National Cycle Network routes are on public roads.

“Reducing the speed limit to 40mph on on-road sections of the National Cycle Network as part of a range of complementary measures will help make these popular walking and cycling routes safer, better and more reliable for all users.

“Scottish Government investment of £6.9 million in the National Cycle Network has allowed us to upgrade and develop a number of key sections of route, including some which have been identified as priorities within this report. However there is still more which needs to be done.”

Scotland has a total of 2,657 miles of National Cycle Network routes stretching from the Borders to the Shetland Islands. Of this, a total of 1,523 miles (57%) has been rated as “very poor”, with a further 45 miles (2%) as “poor”. Only 52 miles (2%) of route is of “very good” standard and a further 1,036 miles (39%) has been classified as “good”.

Only 29% of the network in Scotland is traffic-free but 95% of these sections of route were classified as “good” or “very good”.

Across the UK, 1% of routes were classed as “very good”, 53% were “good”, 4% were “poor” and 42% were “very poor”, with 62% of on-road routes classified as “very poor”.

As part of the Paths for Everyone report, Sustrans has published an action plan for Scotland outlining six projects, to be delivered by 2023, to help improve and develop the network.

They include the re-routing of three on-road sections of route to alternative traffic-free paths, making accessibility improvements to existing traffic-free routes, the resurfacing and signage of a traffic-free path and the creation of a new section of network, which will link National Route 765 to National Route 7.

“This is a timely review of the National Cycle Network,” said Transport Secretary Michael Matheson. “The success of the network is critical in encouraging both walking and cycling trips for everyday journeys and especially shorter journeys.

“Having the right accessible infrastructure in the right place, which is well maintained and well promoted, is key to achieving our shared active travel ambitions and building an active nation – where more people can enjoy the benefits of walking and cycling than ever before.”