Nats forced to hit brakes on ‘needless’ speed limit cut

SNP Ministers have been forced into another humiliating u-turn after thousands of Scots complained about plans to lower the national speed limit.

- BY DOUGLAS DICKIE

The Nationalist executive wanted to cut the limit on singlecarriage roads from 60mph to 50mph. However, after a consultation exercise that saw nearly 20,000 responses, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop dropped the plans.

According to Transport Scotland, nine out of 10 Scots did not think a reduction would impact on casualty numbers, while just 4% thought the speed limit was too high. Almost 80% thought lowering the limit would lead to an increase in driver frustration, potentially leading to more accidents.

Scottish Tory North East MSP Liam Kerr campaigned against the proposals, which he described as "needless". He called on the SNP to focus "on improving roads rather than a war on motorists".

Mr Kerr added: "Taxpayers will rightly be furious