Changes to some speed limits in Bathgate

It is expected that the implementation of the national 20mph speed limit strategy will result in a reduction of road casualties in West Lothian. Significant capital funding is required to implement the strategy which will be provided by Transport Scotland.

In February 2025, the Council Executive approved the national 20mph speed limit strategy in appropriate urban areas. The report detailed the strategy development and justification for why Transport Scotland had introduced the national strategy and outlined how officers will implement the 20mph speed limit introductions in West Lothian. The strategy advocates a vision of "Slower today for a safer tomorrow" making our streets feel safer and encouraging active travel.

• Most residential roads in West Lothian currently have advisory 20mph speed limits in place and these will be changed to mandatory 20mph speed limits.  The remaining roads with 40mph, 50mph and rural speed limits have not been part of this review and the speed limits on these roads will not change.
• The Police will remain the enforcing body for these speed limits once the permanent Traffic Regulation Orders are brought into force and they will require to be satisfied where a new 20mph speed limit is proposed to ensure the appropriate levels of enforcement will be provided. The council will have no responsibility for the enforcement of these new 20 mph speed limits.

Proposed Implementation for Bathgate

• Officers have undertaken an assessment in accordance with Transport Scotland's 20mph Speed Limits in Scotland - Implementation Guide. This guidance information is being used by all Local Authorities to ensure consistency across the country when implementing this national 20mph speed limit strategy.
• Appendix 1 of the report highlights the public roads in Bathgate that will have the speed limits reduced to a mandatory 20mph speed limit. Appendix 2 lists the public roads that will be reduced to a mandatory 20mph speed limit.  

You can view the street list online at:

https://coins.westlothian.gov.uk/coins/viewDoc.asp?c=e%97%9Db%8Ej%7E%8D%85

Officers are now commencing the consultation phase and will shortly publish a web site to allow our residents and road users to view and comment on the proposals. This will include a link to a customer survey to collect feedback from our residents. Police Scotland support this 20mph speed limit strategy and will also be consulted during the design phase (and through the statutory process) as the implementation of the 20mph speed limit strategy is progressed.

Managing the levels of vehicle speed is one of the biggest challenges faced in road safety. Many drivers do not recognise the risks involved with speeding. The speed of a vehicle directly influences the risk of a collision as well as the severity of injuries sustained during accidents that may occur from speeding vehicles. Statistically, the average person, is seven times more likely to succumb to fatal injuries if they are in a collision with a vehicle at 30 mph than they are at 20 mph. That is one of the major reasons why the Scottish Government is committed to implementing 20 mph speed limits, on appropriate public roads across the country.