Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 13 June 2019
13 Jun 2019 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
I am pleased to contribute to the debate as convener of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee.
The committee’s stage 1 report, which was published on 31 May, is clear. The committee supports the bill’s policy aim of seeking to widen the implementation of 20mph zones in Scotland in order to reduce death and serious injury on our roads. I thank the member in charge for promoting that important objective and his recent response to our report, and I also thank the cabinet secretary for helpfully responding to the report before today’s debate. Finally, I thank all those who submitted evidence to the committee and the clerks for their help and support in the process.
It is important to highlight that the committee heard very mixed views on the bill. Furthermore, the available research was also often mixed, and the conclusions were often very inconclusive. That has shaped the committee’s conclusions on this bill, to which I will now turn.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-17660, in the name of Mark Ruskell, on the Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Scotland) Bill. 15:01
Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green)
Green
Since devolution, there have been choices for the Parliament to make, in order to break from the status quo, be bold and lead the change. From the smoking ba...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Mark Ruskell
Green
Yes, if I can get the time back.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Yes, you can. There is time in hand in this debate. I can be flexible, which is good for everybody.
Liam Kerr
Con
Does the member not concede that that only happens if the impact of the bill is, as he wishes, to reduce the speed limit in practice?
Mark Ruskell
Green
That is a basic question and I point the member to the extensive policy memorandum, which details all the studies that show the kind of speed reduction that ...
Edward Mountain (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I am pleased to contribute to the debate as convener of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee. The committee’s stage 1 report, which was published on...
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
Will the member give way?
Edward Mountain
Con
I am prepared to do so, if I can get the time back.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I have already said that there is time in hand for everybody, so do not be feart.
Edward Mountain
Con
In giving way, though, I ask the member to remember that I am reflecting the views of the committee, and will do so carefully.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
You have been told, Mr Finnie.
John Finnie
Green
I am grateful to the member for taking the intervention. I absolutely accept that that is what the committee convener will do, but will he also point out tha...
Edward Mountain
Con
Indeed, and as I make progress through my speech, I will of course try to reflect the difference of opinion between members. On the issue of public health o...
Andy Wightman (Lothian) (Green)
Green
Will the member give way?
Edward Mountain
Con
I am prepared to do so, on the basis that I outlined earlier.
Andy Wightman
Green
The member’s points about compliance and commencement can be addressed as the bill proceeds through Parliament. Does he agree that they are not germane to th...
Edward Mountain
Con
I am sure that other members of the committee will comment on that. However, what we heard from Police Scotland is that it does not prioritise enforcement of...
Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab)
Lab
Will the member give way?
Edward Mountain
Con
I am afraid that I have already taken two interventions. Interruption. I think that it is fair to allow the committee convener to try to put the committee’s ...
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity (Michael Matheson)
SNP
First, I thank Mark Ruskell for his member’s bill, which has generated a wide-ranging national debate on 20mph speed limits. I have followed the committee’s...
Andy Wightman
Green
The cabinet secretary refers to a “blanket approach”, which reflects the committee’s language about “a one-size-fits-all approach”. Surely, as a matter of pr...
Michael Matheson
SNP
The committee’s point was about compliance and effective operation. We must have a default speed limit on which we can get greater levels of compliance. The ...
Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green)
Green
The cabinet secretary suggests that we should not pass laws unless we are absolutely sure that they will be enforced. Did he take that view when Scotland dec...
Michael Matheson
SNP
As I have made clear, the Scottish Government supports the introduction of 20mph zones. However, we do not support a one-size-fits-all blanket approach to al...
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Michael Matheson
SNP
Let me make progress. To achieve the benefits that 20mph speed limits bring, particularly for road safety, we need to ensure compliance with them. Police Sc...
Daniel Johnson
Lab
Will the cabinet secretary please explain why on earth a road whose design is acceptable for a 30mph limit is not appropriate for a 20mph limit? I do not und...
Michael Matheson
SNP
In its report, the committee highlights the fact that design features are key factors that influence the speed at which people drive on roads. That is why, f...