FIVE towns and villages across Scotland are to pilot 20mph speed limits on trunk roads as part of an effort to improve safety.

The first of the five 20mph zones will come into force on the A77 in Maybole, South Ayrshire on Monday, with similar schemes due to be rolled out in Largs, Biggar, Langholm and Oban.

Stewart Leggett, National Operations Manager for Transport Scotland, said: “It is essential speed limits are appropriate to conditions and these pilot zones will help us establish the benefits of lowering speeds in towns villages, where it is reasonable to do so.

“This is the first of the five pilot sites which we expect to improve road safety generally while bringing specific benefits for vulnerable road users, such as older people and cyclists.

“We are pleased that the wider consultation process is now complete in Maybole and will now monitor the benefits it brings to the trunk road network.”

Transport Scotland has considered factors such as the number of accidents, traffic volumes and speeds, as well as HGV numbers to assess which towns and villages across the trunk road network would benefit most from a 20mph limit.

Stuart Hay Scotland Director of Living Streets, which campaigns for pedestrians, welcomed the pilot.

He said: “This is the first time such a limit will be introduced to a trunk road in Scotland and it will bring major improvements to the walking environment. We look forward to the results of this pilot and hope it will support further roll-out across the trunk road network.”