Lowering speed limits can promote safer streets, encourage more sustainable forms of travel like walking, wheeling and cycling and create streets which are shared more equally between different road users.

A proposal to run an 18-month pilot scheme in the village to allow Council officers to collect and analyse information on before and after vehicle speeds and monitor the impact and suitability of 20mph limits.

Based on the pilot, officers would then consider implementation at 16 other settlements including Avonbridge, Shieldhill and Dunmore.

If approved at the Executive meeting on 5 March 2024, the pilot scheme could be introduced as soon as April 2024.

A consultation was carried out in in February 2024 with Airth residents which showed strong support for a 20mph speed limit with:

• 70.9% strongly or partially supported a 20mph speed limit in built up residential areas
• 90% strongly or tended to agree that speed limits should be implemented where safety is an issue.

Further public consultation would be undertaken to gather feedback and gauge public opinion on the 20mph speed limit at each settlement prior to implementation.

Malcolm Bennie, Director of Place Services said: “Residents in Airth have shown support for the introduction of 20 mph speed limits to create a better and healthier environment for the community.   The pilot scheme would provide valuable information on before and after speeds and would help shape further proposals to implement reduced speeds in other parts of the Falkirk Council area.

“It is now for Elected Members to consider the information before them and decide on the best way forward.”