Road safety improvements including signs, markings and anti-skid surfacing are being implemented on roads across South Lanarkshire following the allocation of nearly half a million pounds from a Scottish Government fund.
The council has been awarded £496,642 from the nationwide £10 million road safety investment fund, shared between local authorities “to support critical safety schemes focused on lowering risks and reducing casualties on local roads”.
South Lanarkshire is also receiving a further grant of up to £31,000 from a separate 20mph speed limit fund – which will be used to continue ongoing work on assessing nearly 6000 streets across the area for potential speed reductions from next year.
The junction of Hillhouse Road and Technology Avenue in Hamilton is among the roads where safety upgrades are being made through the former fund.
Colin Park, who is South Lanarkshire’s head of roads and transportation, said: “The road safety investment fund will be used for signing, road markings, verge marker posts and anti-skid surfacing at locations identified in last year’s annual assessment of priorities for casualty reduction on the roads network.
“These measures are currently being implemented across South Lanarkshire on parts of the A70, A726, A706, A71, B743 and at Hillhouse Road/Technology Avenue.”
Neighbouring council North Lanarkshire is receiving £518,137.47 through the same fund, which aims to support local authorities with schemes including junction improvement, resurfacing, signage, pedestrian crossings, traffic calming and cycle safety.
South Lanarkshire is also among 19 councils to receive additional funding from this year’s 20mph fund, with Mr Park adding: “Transport Scotland has funding available which allows local authorities to take forward initiatives which the council can bid for.
“Previous funding allowed the council to appoint a consultant to undertake assessment of approximately 6000 streets that could be subject to 20mph speed limits in the future – the allocation this year will allow officers to complete a review of this assessment and prepare reports with proposals being presented to a committee in 2025.”
Grants from the fund are for “targeted initiatives specifically designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists at key locations across Scotland through the rollout of 20mph limits, fostering safer environments in communities across the country”.
Transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Road safety is a top priority for the Scottish Government; this [total] £14m investment underlines our commitment to supporting our partners implement schemes that protect the public.
“Our 20mph implementation guide will help local authorities introduce lower speed limits consistently across Scotland, creating safer streets for everyone.”
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