This Member’s Bill aims to reduce the default speed limit on ‘restricted’ roads to 20 miles per hour (mph).
This is a Member's bill
The Bill fell on 13 June 2019 at Stage 1
This Bill fell at Stage 1 of the process to decide if it should become an Act.
This Member’s Bill aims to reduce the default speed limit on ‘restricted’ roads to 20 miles per hour (mph).
‘Restricted’ roads include most residential streets and minor roads in built-up areas. These are generally streets which have street lights. The law says that the speed limit on these roads is 30 mph as a default – that is, unless there are signs indicating a different limit. The Bill would lower this default limit from 30 mph to 20 mph.
Mark Ruskell MSP believes that lower speed limits reduce the speed that people typically drive at. He believes that lower speeds make streets safer and more pleasant. In his view, lowering the default speed limit on restricted roads is the most effective way to achieve these benefits.
Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Scotland) Bill as Introduced (134KB, pdf) posted 29 March 2019
Explanatory Notes (99KB, pdf) posted 29 March 2019
Policy Memorandum (454KB, pdf) posted 28 March 2019
Financial Memorandum (378KB, pdf) posted 28 March 2019
Delegated Powers Memorandum (111KB, pdf) posted 28 March 2019
Statements on legislative competence (86KB, pdf) posted 28 March 2019
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is not required for this Bill.
For each Bill, the Presiding Officer must decide if a 'Financial Resolution' is required. The main reasons a Bill would need a Financial Resolution are that:
If a Bill requires a Financial Resolution:
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Scotland) Bill SPICe briefing
The Bill was introduced on 21 September 2018
At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.
A Stage 1 debate took place on 13 June 2019 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.
Result 26 for, 83 against, 4 abstained, 16 did not vote Vote Defeated
See further details of the motion
The Bill ended Stage 1 on 13 June 2019
The Bill fell at Stage 1 on 13 June 2019. There were 26 votes for, 83 against, and 4 abstentions.
If MSPs do not agree with what a Bill is trying to do, they can vote against it at the end of Stage 1 or at Stage 3. If a majority of MSPs vote against a Bill then it will not pass and it ‘falls’.
Bills can also fall if they have not completed Stage 3 by the end of a Parliamentary session. These Bills can be reintroduced in the next session and the process would begin again from the start.