Transport Scotland, the national agency who deliver the Scottish Government's vision for transport, are seeking to reduce driving speed in towns, cities, and villages all over Scotland by 2025.
Their 'Slower today for a safer tomorrow' strategy aims to make roads across Scotland safer, reduce accidents and fatalities, and encourage active travel, such as walking and cycling.
Statistics show you are seven times more likely to survive being hit by a vehicle travelling at 20mph, rather than 30mph.
A similar national scheme has already been implemented in Wales and 20mph limits have already been introduced in council areas across Scotland. Welsh government figures reported that a 100 fewer people were killed or seriously injured on the roads during the first year of the scheme.
Details of how the speed limit changes are implemented locally has been left to individual councils, with a report set to be considered by elected members on the council's Environment and Sustainability Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel covering West Lothian.
A further report will then be presented to a future meeting of the Council Executive for final approval.
Following Transport Scotland's guidance, West Lothian Council is proposing to implement the national strategy in three phases, starting with the areas with most residents first, which includes Livingston, Bathgate and Blackburn.
The second phase will be Broxburn and Uphall, Linlithgow, Armadale and Whitburn, with the rest of West Lothian's settlements covered in phase three.
Funding for the implementation is being provided by Transport Scotland for 2024/25 and 2025/26, and Police Scotland will be consulted and will remain responsible for enforcing the new 20mph limits in West Lothian and across Scotland.
