20 MPH in Aberdeenshire Towns and Villages

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Aberdeenshire Council is promoting new 20 mph limits across its communities as part of a national roll out of 20 mph speed limits in built up areas.

This page provides an overview of the programme, and you can find answers to common questions by selecting the 'Questions' tab below.

The ‘Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party Shared Policy Programme’ published in 2021 included a commitment that all appropriate roads in built up areas should have a safer speed limit of 20 mph by 2025.

This National Strategy for 20 mph speed limits aims to expand 20 mph speed limits across Scotland and ensure all appropriate roads in built-up areas have a safer speed limit of 20 mph by 2025.

The strategy seeks to introduce a consistency for 20 mph speed limits across the country, simplifying speed limits for drivers.

It seeks to reduce perceptions of road danger, encourage people to walk and wheel, and create more pleasant streets and neighbourhoods by providing a more equitable balance between different road users and will contribute to the implementation of the safe system.

More information on the programme can be found in the News section below.

Aberdeenshire Council is promoting new 20 mph limits across its communities as part of a national roll out of 20 mph speed limits in built up areas.

This page provides an overview of the programme, and you can find answers to common questions by selecting the 'Questions' tab below.

The ‘Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party Shared Policy Programme’ published in 2021 included a commitment that all appropriate roads in built up areas should have a safer speed limit of 20 mph by 2025.

This National Strategy for 20 mph speed limits aims to expand 20 mph speed limits across Scotland and ensure all appropriate roads in built-up areas have a safer speed limit of 20 mph by 2025.

The strategy seeks to introduce a consistency for 20 mph speed limits across the country, simplifying speed limits for drivers.

It seeks to reduce perceptions of road danger, encourage people to walk and wheel, and create more pleasant streets and neighbourhoods by providing a more equitable balance between different road users and will contribute to the implementation of the safe system.

More information on the programme can be found in the News section below.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded. You can view questions and answers in the thread below.

 

  • Share Why do the council not start taking action on vehicles parking on our pavements , as well as parking at junctions , across from T junctions etc it hazardous for pedestrians, wheelchair users parents with prams etc it also is damaging our kerbs and pavements and causing trip hazards etc people also forming driveways , many we assume without permission and a huge issue is folk take away their entire frontage ( wall or fence ) and drop the kerb ( many fond , they lay down cement or planks of wood or plastic a) again causing a trip hazard and prevents rain to flow to drains , in many cases , there is a policy the council has about length of kerbing that can be dropped , it used to be five and a half kerbs ? it maybe six now , not sure ? Why do council officials not act ????? on Facebook Share Why do the council not start taking action on vehicles parking on our pavements , as well as parking at junctions , across from T junctions etc it hazardous for pedestrians, wheelchair users parents with prams etc it also is damaging our kerbs and pavements and causing trip hazards etc people also forming driveways , many we assume without permission and a huge issue is folk take away their entire frontage ( wall or fence ) and drop the kerb ( many fond , they lay down cement or planks of wood or plastic a) again causing a trip hazard and prevents rain to flow to drains , in many cases , there is a policy the council has about length of kerbing that can be dropped , it used to be five and a half kerbs ? it maybe six now , not sure ? Why do council officials not act ????? on Twitter Share Why do the council not start taking action on vehicles parking on our pavements , as well as parking at junctions , across from T junctions etc it hazardous for pedestrians, wheelchair users parents with prams etc it also is damaging our kerbs and pavements and causing trip hazards etc people also forming driveways , many we assume without permission and a huge issue is folk take away their entire frontage ( wall or fence ) and drop the kerb ( many fond , they lay down cement or planks of wood or plastic a) again causing a trip hazard and prevents rain to flow to drains , in many cases , there is a policy the council has about length of kerbing that can be dropped , it used to be five and a half kerbs ? it maybe six now , not sure ? Why do council officials not act ????? on Linkedin Email Why do the council not start taking action on vehicles parking on our pavements , as well as parking at junctions , across from T junctions etc it hazardous for pedestrians, wheelchair users parents with prams etc it also is damaging our kerbs and pavements and causing trip hazards etc people also forming driveways , many we assume without permission and a huge issue is folk take away their entire frontage ( wall or fence ) and drop the kerb ( many fond , they lay down cement or planks of wood or plastic a) again causing a trip hazard and prevents rain to flow to drains , in many cases , there is a policy the council has about length of kerbing that can be dropped , it used to be five and a half kerbs ? it maybe six now , not sure ? Why do council officials not act ????? link

    Why do the council not start taking action on vehicles parking on our pavements , as well as parking at junctions , across from T junctions etc it hazardous for pedestrians, wheelchair users parents with prams etc it also is damaging our kerbs and pavements and causing trip hazards etc people also forming driveways , many we assume without permission and a huge issue is folk take away their entire frontage ( wall or fence ) and drop the kerb ( many fond , they lay down cement or planks of wood or plastic a) again causing a trip hazard and prevents rain to flow to drains , in many cases , there is a policy the council has about length of kerbing that can be dropped , it used to be five and a half kerbs ? it maybe six now , not sure ? Why do council officials not act ?????

    Brian Topping asked 3 months ago

    Hi Brian, thank you for your question and apologies for the delay in responding.

    The Council is taking action against illegal pavement parking, currently we have been issuing warning notices to non compliant vehicles in areas where we have received specific complaints. We are in the process of establishing the mechanisms to impose fines for illegal pavement parking and this will be rolled out in due course in conjunction with a public awareness campaign.

    In relation to your comments about people putting make shift ramps down, these are an obstruction and where we receive complaints or our Inspectors pick these up we do contact residents and instruct them to be removed.

    In terms of dropped kerbs, these should follow our roads construction standards which are available on the roads section of the Council's website.- Permission must be sought prior to installation as it involves intervention with a Council asset i..e the road and footway. 



  • Share 1. What quantitative evidence do you have that a reduction in speed limit in an area from 30 to 20 mph reduces injuries and deaths, and by how much? (On an area basis, not the unarguable reduction of injury from an individual impact). Please refer to public domain research, preferably peer-reviewed. 2. What infrastructure changes are necessary? e.g. 20 mph signage: perimeter-only or with repeaters, speed bumps, any other changes? 3. What is the projected total cost of the measure across Aberdeenshire? 4. Over what total period will this measure, if agreed, be implemented? 5. How many other speed reduction sites are already planned, or likely, on other roads from e.g. unrestricted or 50 mph to something lower, such as Kirkton of Durris 50 mph to 40 or 30, and what is the total projected cost of these measures? on Facebook Share 1. What quantitative evidence do you have that a reduction in speed limit in an area from 30 to 20 mph reduces injuries and deaths, and by how much? (On an area basis, not the unarguable reduction of injury from an individual impact). Please refer to public domain research, preferably peer-reviewed. 2. What infrastructure changes are necessary? e.g. 20 mph signage: perimeter-only or with repeaters, speed bumps, any other changes? 3. What is the projected total cost of the measure across Aberdeenshire? 4. Over what total period will this measure, if agreed, be implemented? 5. How many other speed reduction sites are already planned, or likely, on other roads from e.g. unrestricted or 50 mph to something lower, such as Kirkton of Durris 50 mph to 40 or 30, and what is the total projected cost of these measures? on Twitter Share 1. What quantitative evidence do you have that a reduction in speed limit in an area from 30 to 20 mph reduces injuries and deaths, and by how much? (On an area basis, not the unarguable reduction of injury from an individual impact). Please refer to public domain research, preferably peer-reviewed. 2. What infrastructure changes are necessary? e.g. 20 mph signage: perimeter-only or with repeaters, speed bumps, any other changes? 3. What is the projected total cost of the measure across Aberdeenshire? 4. Over what total period will this measure, if agreed, be implemented? 5. How many other speed reduction sites are already planned, or likely, on other roads from e.g. unrestricted or 50 mph to something lower, such as Kirkton of Durris 50 mph to 40 or 30, and what is the total projected cost of these measures? on Linkedin Email 1. What quantitative evidence do you have that a reduction in speed limit in an area from 30 to 20 mph reduces injuries and deaths, and by how much? (On an area basis, not the unarguable reduction of injury from an individual impact). Please refer to public domain research, preferably peer-reviewed. 2. What infrastructure changes are necessary? e.g. 20 mph signage: perimeter-only or with repeaters, speed bumps, any other changes? 3. What is the projected total cost of the measure across Aberdeenshire? 4. Over what total period will this measure, if agreed, be implemented? 5. How many other speed reduction sites are already planned, or likely, on other roads from e.g. unrestricted or 50 mph to something lower, such as Kirkton of Durris 50 mph to 40 or 30, and what is the total projected cost of these measures? link

    1. What quantitative evidence do you have that a reduction in speed limit in an area from 30 to 20 mph reduces injuries and deaths, and by how much? (On an area basis, not the unarguable reduction of injury from an individual impact). Please refer to public domain research, preferably peer-reviewed. 2. What infrastructure changes are necessary? e.g. 20 mph signage: perimeter-only or with repeaters, speed bumps, any other changes? 3. What is the projected total cost of the measure across Aberdeenshire? 4. Over what total period will this measure, if agreed, be implemented? 5. How many other speed reduction sites are already planned, or likely, on other roads from e.g. unrestricted or 50 mph to something lower, such as Kirkton of Durris 50 mph to 40 or 30, and what is the total projected cost of these measures?

    Jon G asked 4 months ago

    Hi Jon, thank you for your quest and apologies for the delay in replying. In response to your questions

    1. Please refer to the information on Transport Scotland's website as to the background and evidence for the changes proposed.

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/the-implementation-guide-for-20-mph-speed-limits-in-scotland/

    2. The 20 mph roll out programme is sign-only so only signs will be used as part of this process.

    3. The overall costs, which are funded by central government will not be determined until the end of the financial year.

    4. Implementation is ongoing with a 'go live' date to be announced for later this year.

    5. Other speed limit work has been paused to allow for a focus on the 20 mph limits, We will be recommencing our normal speed limit reviews after the implementation of the 20 mph limits. This is as always subject to available resources.



  • Share I live in Whiteford, Aberdeenshire where there is a 30mph which no one complies to. So I would like to know how it is going to be Policed. At the moment we are informed by the police we are very low priority for speed traps ? on Facebook Share I live in Whiteford, Aberdeenshire where there is a 30mph which no one complies to. So I would like to know how it is going to be Policed. At the moment we are informed by the police we are very low priority for speed traps ? on Twitter Share I live in Whiteford, Aberdeenshire where there is a 30mph which no one complies to. So I would like to know how it is going to be Policed. At the moment we are informed by the police we are very low priority for speed traps ? on Linkedin Email I live in Whiteford, Aberdeenshire where there is a 30mph which no one complies to. So I would like to know how it is going to be Policed. At the moment we are informed by the police we are very low priority for speed traps ? link

    I live in Whiteford, Aberdeenshire where there is a 30mph which no one complies to. So I would like to know how it is going to be Policed. At the moment we are informed by the police we are very low priority for speed traps ?

    Hamish Moggach asked 4 months ago

    Hi Hamish, thank you for your quest and apologies for the delay in replying.

    I am sorry that you are experiencing a consistent issue with speeding in Whiteford. As you are aware enforcement is a matter for Police Scotland and their operational priorities are outwith our control.

    We are engaging with the Police at a national level around their strategy for enforcing the 20 mph limits.

  • Share Why is there no proposal to include Westhill Drive in this initiative? This road going out towards Wogle crossroads is supposedly a 30 mph zone but traffic consistently speeds excessively on this stretch which has school children regularly crossing on their way to and from school. on Facebook Share Why is there no proposal to include Westhill Drive in this initiative? This road going out towards Wogle crossroads is supposedly a 30 mph zone but traffic consistently speeds excessively on this stretch which has school children regularly crossing on their way to and from school. on Twitter Share Why is there no proposal to include Westhill Drive in this initiative? This road going out towards Wogle crossroads is supposedly a 30 mph zone but traffic consistently speeds excessively on this stretch which has school children regularly crossing on their way to and from school. on Linkedin Email Why is there no proposal to include Westhill Drive in this initiative? This road going out towards Wogle crossroads is supposedly a 30 mph zone but traffic consistently speeds excessively on this stretch which has school children regularly crossing on their way to and from school. link

    Why is there no proposal to include Westhill Drive in this initiative? This road going out towards Wogle crossroads is supposedly a 30 mph zone but traffic consistently speeds excessively on this stretch which has school children regularly crossing on their way to and from school.

    C Steele asked 4 months ago

    Hi C Steele, thank you for your questions, sorry for the delay in replying. 

    All roads and streets which are currently 30 mph were subject to assessment to consider their suitability to be reduced to 20 mph.

    Some roads, and Westhill Drive would have been one of them, were deemed unsuitable due to the characteristics of the road, being for instance wide straight roads with little development immediately fronting onto them. This means that in our judgment traffic would be unlikely to adhere to a 20 mph limit and this could undermine the 20 mph limits in other areas.

    It is at times, an on-balance judgement and people will inevitably disagree where some of these judgement calls have been made. Having said that all the limits will be subject to review and can be changed. 



  • Share Can we make it a 20mph limit in Auchenblae from the cemetery to the school and from the cemetery to the den too please? Lots of dog walkers and it’s single lane, 60mph is totally inappropriate on Facebook Share Can we make it a 20mph limit in Auchenblae from the cemetery to the school and from the cemetery to the den too please? Lots of dog walkers and it’s single lane, 60mph is totally inappropriate on Twitter Share Can we make it a 20mph limit in Auchenblae from the cemetery to the school and from the cemetery to the den too please? Lots of dog walkers and it’s single lane, 60mph is totally inappropriate on Linkedin Email Can we make it a 20mph limit in Auchenblae from the cemetery to the school and from the cemetery to the den too please? Lots of dog walkers and it’s single lane, 60mph is totally inappropriate link

    Can we make it a 20mph limit in Auchenblae from the cemetery to the school and from the cemetery to the den too please? Lots of dog walkers and it’s single lane, 60mph is totally inappropriate

    Bruce asked 4 months ago

    Hi Bruce, thank you for your questions, sorry for the delay in replying. 

    I will pass on your request to the team who are looking at speed limits across Aberdeenshire for their consideration and investigation.

  • Share How much is it going to cost Aberdeenshire Council to change all the road signs and all the road markings to the 20MPH limits? Whatever the figure, the money would be far better spent repairing the potholes which are present on every road in the Shire. The Potholes are FAR more dangerous than driving at 30MPH. I strongly object to this nonsense. on Facebook Share How much is it going to cost Aberdeenshire Council to change all the road signs and all the road markings to the 20MPH limits? Whatever the figure, the money would be far better spent repairing the potholes which are present on every road in the Shire. The Potholes are FAR more dangerous than driving at 30MPH. I strongly object to this nonsense. on Twitter Share How much is it going to cost Aberdeenshire Council to change all the road signs and all the road markings to the 20MPH limits? Whatever the figure, the money would be far better spent repairing the potholes which are present on every road in the Shire. The Potholes are FAR more dangerous than driving at 30MPH. I strongly object to this nonsense. on Linkedin Email How much is it going to cost Aberdeenshire Council to change all the road signs and all the road markings to the 20MPH limits? Whatever the figure, the money would be far better spent repairing the potholes which are present on every road in the Shire. The Potholes are FAR more dangerous than driving at 30MPH. I strongly object to this nonsense. link

    How much is it going to cost Aberdeenshire Council to change all the road signs and all the road markings to the 20MPH limits? Whatever the figure, the money would be far better spent repairing the potholes which are present on every road in the Shire. The Potholes are FAR more dangerous than driving at 30MPH. I strongly object to this nonsense.

    Morris Tait asked 4 months ago

    Hi Morris, thank you for your questions, sorry for the delay in replying. 

    The final costs will not be determined until the end of the financial year. Costs are funded through a grant at national level by Transport Scotland. The funding is not available for use on potholes or any other work.

  • Share Please advise on the total cost of replacing signage council and I mean signage man hours etc wide and how exactly is this going to be policed as the police are stretched as it is on Facebook Share Please advise on the total cost of replacing signage council and I mean signage man hours etc wide and how exactly is this going to be policed as the police are stretched as it is on Twitter Share Please advise on the total cost of replacing signage council and I mean signage man hours etc wide and how exactly is this going to be policed as the police are stretched as it is on Linkedin Email Please advise on the total cost of replacing signage council and I mean signage man hours etc wide and how exactly is this going to be policed as the police are stretched as it is link

    Please advise on the total cost of replacing signage council and I mean signage man hours etc wide and how exactly is this going to be policed as the police are stretched as it is

    Stupot1973 asked 4 months ago

    Hi Stupot1973, thank you for your questions, sorry for the delay in replying.

    The final outrun cost for the programme will not be available until the end of the financial year. The overall cost will be published by Transport Scotland as they are funding the initiative nationally.


    Enfrorcement is a matter for Police Scotland and we are engaging with the Police Service at a national level on how the changes will be enforced.

  • Share What about cyclists going faster than 20mph? With less ability to stop. Repair the potholes first and put speed bumper where you need the traffic to slow down like near schools and bridges on Facebook Share What about cyclists going faster than 20mph? With less ability to stop. Repair the potholes first and put speed bumper where you need the traffic to slow down like near schools and bridges on Twitter Share What about cyclists going faster than 20mph? With less ability to stop. Repair the potholes first and put speed bumper where you need the traffic to slow down like near schools and bridges on Linkedin Email What about cyclists going faster than 20mph? With less ability to stop. Repair the potholes first and put speed bumper where you need the traffic to slow down like near schools and bridges link

    What about cyclists going faster than 20mph? With less ability to stop. Repair the potholes first and put speed bumper where you need the traffic to slow down like near schools and bridges

    Valerie Woodland asked 4 months ago

    Hi Valerie, thank you for your questions, sorry for the delay in replying.

    I note your comments regarding cycles, the law in respect of cyclists is beyond the scope of this exercise, however it is an issue which has been raised as part of this exercise and will be fed back at a national level. 

    The funding for this initiative is directly from Scottish Government and is not available to use on any other works including potholes.

    The funding is also for sign led speed limits only and cannot be used for other speed reduction measures such as physical interventions.


  • Share I live just outside Kinmuck and the speed limit is 60mph when I requested it to be changed I was told there was no way. Now you are bringing in 20mph to the village would you consider extending it to cover our house or at least a reduction to 40mph outside the village? People speed past our house and through the village so I feel a general reduction to 40mph is more likely to make people adhere to a slower speed in the village as well. on Facebook Share I live just outside Kinmuck and the speed limit is 60mph when I requested it to be changed I was told there was no way. Now you are bringing in 20mph to the village would you consider extending it to cover our house or at least a reduction to 40mph outside the village? People speed past our house and through the village so I feel a general reduction to 40mph is more likely to make people adhere to a slower speed in the village as well. on Twitter Share I live just outside Kinmuck and the speed limit is 60mph when I requested it to be changed I was told there was no way. Now you are bringing in 20mph to the village would you consider extending it to cover our house or at least a reduction to 40mph outside the village? People speed past our house and through the village so I feel a general reduction to 40mph is more likely to make people adhere to a slower speed in the village as well. on Linkedin Email I live just outside Kinmuck and the speed limit is 60mph when I requested it to be changed I was told there was no way. Now you are bringing in 20mph to the village would you consider extending it to cover our house or at least a reduction to 40mph outside the village? People speed past our house and through the village so I feel a general reduction to 40mph is more likely to make people adhere to a slower speed in the village as well. link

    I live just outside Kinmuck and the speed limit is 60mph when I requested it to be changed I was told there was no way. Now you are bringing in 20mph to the village would you consider extending it to cover our house or at least a reduction to 40mph outside the village? People speed past our house and through the village so I feel a general reduction to 40mph is more likely to make people adhere to a slower speed in the village as well.

    Rob asked 4 months ago

    Hi Rob, thank you for your questions, sorry for the delay in replying.

    We will be undertaking a review of speed limits in all areas where issues have been raised that are outwith the scope of the 20 mph exercise. I am happy to pass on your inquiry to the team who will be reviewing these for a future assessment.

  • Share How much is the overall cost versus repairing potholes on the same roads? How many accidents did happen on these roads in the past years that were purely due to speeding? What is the additional amount of emissions expected due to most vehicle gearboxes optimised for 30 mph and 20 mph will mean higher revs and higher emissions? What are the expectations? What would you like to achieve with the new speed limits? on Facebook Share How much is the overall cost versus repairing potholes on the same roads? How many accidents did happen on these roads in the past years that were purely due to speeding? What is the additional amount of emissions expected due to most vehicle gearboxes optimised for 30 mph and 20 mph will mean higher revs and higher emissions? What are the expectations? What would you like to achieve with the new speed limits? on Twitter Share How much is the overall cost versus repairing potholes on the same roads? How many accidents did happen on these roads in the past years that were purely due to speeding? What is the additional amount of emissions expected due to most vehicle gearboxes optimised for 30 mph and 20 mph will mean higher revs and higher emissions? What are the expectations? What would you like to achieve with the new speed limits? on Linkedin Email How much is the overall cost versus repairing potholes on the same roads? How many accidents did happen on these roads in the past years that were purely due to speeding? What is the additional amount of emissions expected due to most vehicle gearboxes optimised for 30 mph and 20 mph will mean higher revs and higher emissions? What are the expectations? What would you like to achieve with the new speed limits? link

    How much is the overall cost versus repairing potholes on the same roads? How many accidents did happen on these roads in the past years that were purely due to speeding? What is the additional amount of emissions expected due to most vehicle gearboxes optimised for 30 mph and 20 mph will mean higher revs and higher emissions? What are the expectations? What would you like to achieve with the new speed limits?

    Roland asked 4 months ago

    Hi Roland. Thank you for your questions, sorry for the delay in replying.

    The final cost for the roll out of 20 mph limits will not be known until the end of the financial year. The programme is being funded directly by central government, as such any monies would not have been available for other works. 

    The aim of the project is to improve safety, standards of living for communities and to encourage walking and other forms of active travel.

    The project has come about after years of extensive research and debate including the environmental impact which is established to be positive.

    Further information on the background can be found on Transport Scotland's website.

Page last updated: 29 Aug 2025, 12:47 PM