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27/11/2014 14:37
Holyrood must use new powers for safer streets, says Living Streets Scotland
Pedestrians Campaign charity Living Streets Scotland has welcomed devolution of more powers to make our streets safer. Today, (27 November 2014) the Smith Commission has recommended devolution of urban speed limits and the time allowed at signalised pedestrian crossings. This could help to make Scotland more walking friendly, says the charity.

Head of Living Streets Scotland, Stuart Hay, said: "Giving MSPs powers over national speed limits, crossings and traffic signs presents a golden opportunity to improve Scotland’s towns and city centres for pedestrians. 

"The Scottish Government cannot afford not to use these new powers to make walking safer and easier, given the economic cost of poor health and sedentary lifestyles. Last week the Transport Minister set out a compelling vision for a transport system where walking and cycling are given priority. New powers to designate all residential and shopping streets 20 mph and improve the timings of crossing will be important tools for securing this vision.

"We have concerns that the report is silent on devolving road traffic offences given the constitutional issues holding up the Responsible Parking Bill.  In our submission we strongly argued that powers to tackle dangerous and inconsiderate parking must be devolved so MSPs can help older, visually impaired and disabled pedestrians. In the absence of a definitive position it our hope is that Scottish Secretary of State for Scotland will use his existing powers so Holyrood is no longer barred from bring forward legislation to tackle pavement parking.”

The Living Streets submission to the Smith Commission, The case for devolving further powers for pedestrians and road safety, also calls for the Scottish Parliament to have fiscal responsibility for pedestrian crossings, traffic signs, national speed limits and road traffic offences.