New 20mph speed limits to go live from September 22
Aberdeenshire Council has confirmed it will be introducing permanent 20mph speed limits in built-up areas within its communities next month.
From Monday, September 22 road users will have to lower their speeds on many routes previously covered by 30mph speed limits.
The decision follows the Scottish Government’s commitment to see all appropriate roads in built-up areas having a safer speed limit of 20mph by the end of 2025. This national strategy seeks to introduce a consistency for 20mph speed limits across the country, simplifying speed limits for drivers.
Associated costs of the speed limit implementation programme are being covered by Transport Scotland.
Communities and the council’s six area committees were consulted during May and June on the proposals, with around 200 responses to the statutory consultation which were considered by councillors. In response to the feedback from the consultation, some roads will be retained at 30mph while officers have been tasked with looking again at introducing further 20mph limits in some areas where there is strong public desire to do so.

The new 20mph speed limits will go live on Monday, September 22
It is expected that the reduction of speed limits to 20mph will help make the north-east’s roads safer for all road users – with evidence showing that if a pedestrian is involved in a road traffic collision with a vehicle travelling at 30mph they are seven times more likely to die than at 20mph.
The change will also improve perceptions of road safety, encouraging people to walk, wheel and cycle more, thereby improving health, road safety and promoting active travel – creating more pleasant areas in which to live.
Key facts:
- If you hit someone at 30mph, they’re 7 times more likely to die than at 20mph. In 2022, 69% of all pedestrian casualties, 54% of all pedal cyclist casualties, 33% of all motorcyclist casualties and 30% of all car casualties occurred on roads with a speed limit of 30mph in Scotland
- Slower is safer: 20mph speed limits in cities, towns and villages help keep everyone safe. Reducing speed in our communities will help reduce the number of collisions on Scotland’s roads, and should a collision occur, will help to reduce the severity of it
- 20mph speed limits can encourage a change in the way we travel for those shorter every day journeys, leaving the vehicle at home to reduce our carbon footprint. 20mph speed limits create healthier, fairer and greener places to live and will help Scotland reach its net zero goal
- 20mph limits on local roads encourage more people to walk, wheel and cycle and can help to improve physical and mental health. Slower vehicles and quieter streets create safer spaces for everyone to enjoy, improving quality of life in our communities
Enforcement of speed limits will remain the responsibility of Police Scotland and enforcement will be carried out in targeted areas – this is likely to be in places where the new speed limits are regularly being broken and where there is an increased risk of injury to other road users.
Cllr Alan Turner, chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “We are committed to making Aberdeenshire’s streets safer while also encouraging more sustainable travel options benefiting public health and the north-east environment. The statistical analysis clearly demonstrates that a reduction in speed on those roads where people live, work and play makes those streets safer for all road users.
“The aim of the 20mph speed limits in our villages and towns is to reduce the likelihood of collisions and severity of injuries and also to encourage people to feel safer when walking, cycling or wheeling in their neighbourhood.
“We fully understand that there may be some road users who will be opposed to the implementation of these 20mph speed limits, but in the interests of safety it is absolutely the correct decision for the council to make. Any actions we can take to protect people of all ages and abilities should be embraced to ensure that we safeguard our communities for many years to come.”
Further information including maps is available at https://engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/20-mph-in-aberdeenshire-towns-and-villages