A new survey has revealed overwhelming support for a blanket 20mph zone in Coupar Angus.
Residents have been campaigning for tighter speed restrictions since the tragic death of two-year-old Harlow Edwards, who was knocked down by a speeding driver in October 2016.
Now a questionnaire shared by the charity set up in the toddler’s memory, Harlow’s Helping Hand, has shown widespread backing for lower speeds.
Of the 115 who took part in the study, 81.7% said they wanted the town’s speed limit to be reduced from 30pmh to 20mph.
About three-quarters also voted for installing traffic calming measures such as speed cushions and chicanes.
There was a similar level of support for allowing each community to set its own speed limit, while 68.4% backed calls to create 20mph zones in all towns across Perth and Kinross.
The survey comes as council chiefs are preparing a radical road safety shake-up.
The local authority is considering relaxing regulations to make it easier for communities to qualify for go-slow zones.
Road safety campaigner Michael Gallagher, who has fought for action alongside Harlow’s parents Sara and Steve Edwards, said he wasn’t surprised by the positive results of the survey.
“I had a feeling that there would be a lot of support for 20mph limits,” he said. “A lot of reports show that they reduce serious injuries on the road, especially when they are combined with other traffic calming measures.
“A report from Fife Council in 2016 showed that 20mph limits also improved overall quality of life, making people feel more confident about walking and cycling.”
The Edwards family helped shape new safety measures on Forfar Road, where Harlow was killed.
However, local Conservative councillor Dennis Melloy said he could not support blanket restrictions.
The Perth and Kinross Provost said: “I am not in favour of a blanket 20mph speed limit as I feel this encourages driver frustration. I am, however, in favour of 20mph limits in specific locations where necessary.”
He said: “The Forfar Road traffic calming measures have been a great success in slowing the speed of traffic.
“I travel this road every day and have personally seen the benefits, anyone driving in excess of 25mph are forced to slow down as the traffic lights turn red.”
Local SNP councillor Fiona Sarwar added: “I am not against 20mph zones in principle, and they may well prove effective in Coupar Angus however they will not always be the right method of calming traffic and other measures will be necessary.
“I would support a trial 20mph zone in Coupar Angus, but would require further data before supporting a permanent zone.”
Campaigners have used police mannequins to slow down traffic on Forfar Road. On one occasion, somebody used numbered stickers to alter all of the town’s 30mph signs, creating an unofficial 20mph zone.
