The Scottish Government have published new guidance for the local authority to implement the lower speed limits on the majority of roads.

And it is being backed by Renfrewshire Council, who claim to be one of the “first in Scotland” to introduce the rule to local streets.

A spokesman said: “Renfrewshire Council was one of the first in Scotland to introduce 20mph advisory speed limits in all residential areas.

“We followed this up with statutory 20mph limits ‘when lights flash’ outside schools. New developments are now designed so that traffic travels at 20mph as a matter of course. We have a excellent record on road safety and have no plans at present to make all of our 20mph limits enforceable. We continue to monitor speed limits as part of our approach to road safety.” The move comes after Edinburgh City Council announced plans to reduce the speed limit on the majority of roads in the capital to 20mph.

Renfrewshire MSP and Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: “The Scottish Government is committed to creating a healthier, greener and safer Scotland and believes that the introduction of 20 miles per hour restrictions can help to contribute to all these objectives.

“By reducing speed on our roads we can create streets where the space is shared more equally between different road users and create a safer environment, encouraging people to make active travel choices.

“Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020 set challenging casualty reduction targets and aims to address speed as one of its main priorities. This new 20 mph guidance will help towards achieving these targets by reducing speeds on our roads.” The Good Practice Guide, written in conjunction with the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS), aims to provide clarity on the options available to local authorities.

It is said that it will aid greater consistency on setting 20 mph speed restrictions throughout Scotland while encouraging local authorities to introduce them near schools, in residential areas and in other areas of our towns and cities where there is a significant volume of pedestrian or cyclist activity.

CEC have consulted on plans and are now planning to roll out 20 mph limits across the city by 2017, while maintaining a strategic 30 mph network.

Ewan Wallace, chairman of the Society of Chief Officers for Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS), added: “As Chair of the Society of Chief Officers for Transportation in Scotland, I am delighted that our members have played such an important role on the pan-Scotland working party led by Transport Scotland that has prepared the “Good Practice Guide on 20 mph Speed Restrictions”.

“I would wish to thank all members of the working party for their hard work and commend the document to all Local Authorities as they continue to tackle all of the challenges associated with reducing the level of death and serious injury across our road network.” The Road Safety Framework also includes commitments to encourage local authorities to consider 20 mph zones in all residential areas and supports intelligence-led safety initiatives. As a result of these commitments Transport Scotland supported an extensive 20 mph trial in Edinburgh which resulted in lower vehicle speeds, without the need for traffic calming measures, and attracted strong support from residents.

The results mean that local authorities throughout Scotland can now consider the introduction of 20 mph limits, without traffic calming, in circumstances detailed in the guide.