Motorists dealt huge blow as citywide 20mph speed limit launches this month impacting thousands

The move forms part of a wider push by the Scottish Government to lower speeds in built-up areas. At present, around 211 miles of road in Glasgow are already 20mph, including much of the city centre.

The new scheme will extend the lower limit to most residential streets, shopping areas and locations with high levels of foot traffic.

Major roads such as London Road, Paisley Road West and Edinburgh Road will remain at higher speed limits to keep traffic moving across the city.

The rollout will occur over six phases across a year, with Govan, Southside Central, Calton, East Centre and Shettleston affected first.

Later phases will cover Drumchapel, Anniesland, Hillhead, Maryhill and Partick East. Further areas such as Cardonald, Pollokshields and Langside will follow, before the final stage reaches Dennistoun, Victoria Park, Greater Pollok and the north-east of the city.

Council officials examined 5,740 streets as part of the review. Of those, 3,690 currently set at 30mph will be reduced to 20mph. Around 1,400 streets will stay at 20mph.

The council noted that about 650 roads will keep their 30mph limit, while streets with limits of 40mph or higher will not be affected.

Evidence showed pedestrians hit by vehicles travelling at 30mph were seven times more likely to be killed than those struck at 20mph.

The council has committed to the Vision Zero strategy, which aims to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries by 2030, with lower speed limits a key part of the plan.

The council also hopes the move will support its wider transport strategy, which aims to cut vehicle use by 30 per cent over the same period.

Streets near schools, GP surgeries, places of worship and community centres were given particular attention during the assessment.

Angus Millar, Convener for Transport at Glasgow City Council, said council teams had carried out extensive work before reaching the decision.

He said: "A really detailed piece of work [was done] to assess each and every single street in the city to determine whether or not it's appropriate to take forward the default 20mph process."

Mr Millar noted that many areas were already subject to the lower limit, adding that "around 1,400 streets were already operating under the lower limit" before the expansion.

He also pointed to safety evidence behind the move, saying: "It has been shown that, when we introduce the default 20mph speed limit, we bring down the number of collisions and road casualties."

Most streets will not see physical traffic calming measures such as speed bumps. Instead, the council plans to rely on signage and road markings, similar to those already used in the city centre.

Police Scotland will be responsible for enforcement and has backed the initiative, working alongside the council as the rollout begins.

Drivers have been warned to follow the lower speed limits, with rulebreakers risking £100 fines as well as three penalty points.