News

Motorists have been left baffled after council workers painted two conflicting speed restrictions on the same road.

A controversial city-wide 20mph limit is set to be introduced across Edinburgh this year and some streets are already being painted with the new restriction.

But on one road this has led to confusion with one side of the road saying the limit is 20mph and the other saying it is 30mph.

Motorists have expressed their confusion on social media with one calling the situation “hilarious”.

But council bosses have sought to reassure bemused drivers with the new limit set to come into force across much of the city on February 28.

Similar signs have been spotted at the Leith Walk end of London Road.

Accompanying the painted warnings will be traditional speed limit signs at the side of the road.

The painted notifications of speed limits are part of a pioneering scheme to introduce 20mph limits across 80 per cent of Edinburgh’s roads.

The initiative was rolled out in the city centre and rural west of Edinburgh last August to a groundswell of initial opposition – with a 2700 signature petition to get the decision reversed.

AA spokesman Ian Crowder welcomed 20mph zones but only where “appropriate” – such as roads with schools.

He said: “Most collisions occur in these types of streets and there’s a significant difference between hitting someone at 20mph, when there’s a good chance they’ll survive, and 30mph where there’s a good chance they’ll be killed.”

But blanket 20mph zones across cities could be “counter-productive”, warns the motoring association.

Mr Crowder added: “I would caution against putting 20mph limits across every street without good reason.

“Drivers can become irritated by it. The majority of people respect 30mph limits but 20mph is quite slow and people can start to ignore them.”

But subsequent city-wide consultations reported positive feedback – amid some remaining concerns around increased congestion, road safety and longer journey times.

The scheme is the first of its kind in Scotland and is expected to be fully rolled-out by next January with £100 fines and three penalty points for drivers caught speeding.

Key arterial routes are among the few that will retain 30 and 40mph limits.

Bosses at Lothian Buses have previously warned the new limits could lead to higher fares and poorer services.

A council spokesman explained the signs with the 30mph limit were for vehicles exiting onto the nearby Portobello Road while the 20mph is for those driving onto the residential street of Craigentinny Crescent.

He said: “The 30mph road marking signifies the speed limit on Portobello Road on to which drivers exit.

“This will be reinforced by an adjacent road sign signalling the end of the 20mph zone, which will be erected before the 20mph limit comes into force in this area on February 28.

“The 20mph road marking refers to the 20mph speed limit on Craigentinny Crescent.”