“Any injury resulting from a collision on our roads is one too many”

Edinburgh has launched a new action plan, setting out its ambitions to reach Vision Zero by 2030.

The plan has been developed to align with objectives contained in Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2030, published by the Scottish Government in 2021. 

The City of Edinburgh Council says by adopting the same safe systems approach to road safety, its plan will create “safe and welcoming streets for all”.

The targets set out in the draft plan, to be met by 2030, either meet or exceed those in the national framework. They include:

• Zero fatalities
• At least a 50% reduction in people seriously injured
• At least a 60% reduction in children and young people (under 18 years old) seriously injured
• At least a 40% reduction in pedestrians seriously injured
• At least a 30% reduction in cyclists seriously injured
• At least a 30% reduction in motorcyclists seriously injured

Actions to achieve these targets will be set out in a delivery plan, updated annually. 

Today (8 Dec), councillors will be asked to approve the first delivery plan to 2024, which comprises more than 100 actions, including proposals for new pedestrian crossings, speed limit reductions and further speed reduction measures.

Cllr Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener, said: “Any injury resulting from a collision on our roads is one too many. We have a responsibility to create safe and welcoming streets for all, and the Road Safety Action Plan is key to achieving this. 

“I am keen to work with residents to ensure routes to schools are made safer, traffic short-cutting through residential communities is reduced and physical measures are introduced to cut speeds.

“Thankfully, over the last decade, the number of collisions resulting in injury has continued to fall – but there is clearly much more to be done. The plan sets out a series of targets to significantly reduce the number further and, ultimately, attain ‘Vision Zero’ for Edinburgh.

“Safer, calmer streets are much better places to spend time, walk, wheel and cycle, in turn supporting the City Mobility Plan’s vision for a safer and more inclusive net zero carbon transport system.”

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