ZONES designed to reduce “unnecessary through traffic” — which would include cutting speed limits to 20mph — are set to be rolled out across East Renfrewshire.

Public consultation, including a vote, is expected to be held on plans to deal with “excessive” traffic volume and vehicle speed in residential areas and near schools.

Proposals for the first zones focus on areas where there have been complaints from residents. They will also look at roads around schools as they receive “large numbers of visitors”.

Costs for work in the 2023/24 financial year have been capped at £300,000. Roads officials have identified 15 zones — three per council ward — for the first year.

It is hoped the consultation would “empower residents to shape the future of their local streets”.

“The scheme represents a targeted intervention to mitigate the negative impact of road traffic on local communities, including safety for all users, environmental implications and the uptake of sustainable travel choices,” officials reported.

A report on the planned ‘neighbourhood traffic management zones’ will go before East Renfrewshire Council’s cabinet next week.

Councillors will be asked to approve the proposed approach and a two-stage ‘East Ren Decides’ engagement process.

It stated the council’s roads team has “received a growing number of queries and complaints regarding excessive traffic volume and vehicle speed in residential areas” over recent years.

“These can present a safety risk, and hinder the opportunities of residents to enjoy the public realm and choose walking and cycling for their journeys,” the report added.

The aim of the zones would be to “reduce unnecessary through traffic in areas that would benefit from a lower volume of motor vehicles”.

Across East Renfrewshire, 74 zones could be rolled out over a five-year period, subject to funding.

Council officials reported: “Some locations are likely to only require the introduction of 20mph signing, with these speeds being self-enforcing due to the characteristics of the road and surrounding environs, whilst others will demand the use of additional traffic management measures.”

They also stated: “In addition to changes that redirect unnecessary through traffic away from specific locations, a reduction in the enforceable speed limit to 20mph can serve a double purpose.

“Firstly, it directly improves the safety of all users of the public realm. Secondly, an increase in journey time can discourage drivers from using residential streets as a shortcut on their route, effectively redirecting traffic to the desired corridors.”

All measures will be based on feedback from the consultation as well as previous complaints and the knowledge of roads officials.

Households within the zones selected each year will receive a letter with a link to eastrendecides.commonplace.is — which will allow residents to give feedback about road safety, connectivity and active travel on a map.

People will be able to get help submitting responses at their local library, and the views of young people in schools will be considered.

The initial consultation periods are expected to run for “around one month”, before a second stage, with a shortlist of potential interventions, will involve a “direct public vote”.

“The most popular projects will move forward for detailed design and construction,” officials reported.

“Any feasible interventions deemed unaffordable at the time will remain on record pending identification of funding opportunities to progress them in the future.”