Plans for a 20mph zone in a residential area of Perth may be abandoned due to a string of objections by residents.
This year Perth and Kinross Council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee voted to reduce the limit on streets throughout the Kinnoull area.
But members will be asked if the decision should be reversed in light of the uproar. The decision will be made at a meeting of the committee on Wednesday.
A report to be presented to councillors said: “Sixteen local residents have now formally objected to the proposals. The number of objections is considered significant. The numbers and strength of feeling among objectors for a speed limit reduction is unprecedented, in officers’ experience.
“The approval of this report may result in certain members of the public considering that the council is wasting money in implementing this change.
“It is recommended that the committee consider whether to set aside the objections received and instruct the Executive Director (Environment) to make the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to a 20mph speed limit as advertised.”
Locals branded the “fanciful scheme” a “gross waste of taxpayers’ money”, claiming those who already exceed the speed limit would take no notice of a reduction and pointing to a lack of speed-related accidents in the area.
In a letter to the committee, one resident said: “The council continue to disregard the problem which is irresponsible motorists from the Scone direction trying to avoid the Bridgend junction.
“The proposal will only exacerbate the problem by moving the speeding rat run down Muirhall Road.”
Another, who has lived in the area for three decades, wrote: “I have not witnessed any excessive speeds. (This is a) gross waste of taxpayers’ money, which will be difficult to police, and is not in the interest of the local residents.”
A third urged the council to deal with other traffic problems in Kinnoull before trying to impose a lowered limit, saying: “A blanket speed restriction is heavy-handed. Pavement parking is an issue why not deal with this?
“The cost of this fanciful scheme would be better spent where traffic volumes warrant it.”
The reduced limit is supported by local councillor Peter Barrett, who this year called for Perth to follow in the footsteps of Edinburgh and declare a city-wide 20mph limit.