The rollout of the zones on around 3700 streets will begin in early 2026 and is expected to be finished by autumn this year.

Councillor Angus Millar, Convener for Transport, is confident that the scheme will make roads safer and change attitudes around travel.

He said: “I think everyone sees the value and the benefit of putting in place these schemes that can reduce traffic speeds overall, but also create a safer environment for children and everybody.

“We know these approaches work. In Edinburgh, they have had a default 20mph speed limit since 2016 and there has been a 30% reduction in casualties since then.

“So, the results speak for themselves and we have seen the benefit of these changes.”

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null (Image: Colin Mearns)

null (Image: Colin Mearns)

The project is in line with the government’s Vision Zero, a plan to eliminate road deaths altogether by 2050.

Councillor Millar added: “Absolutely, we want to reduce deaths to zero and the number of injuries as far as possible.

“This is about creating a safer road environment for everybody.

“It is extremely ambitious, but it is achievable if we have a culture shift in terms of speeding, for example.”

Evidence from other countries in Europe, where similar measures were introduced, also suggests that travel times will not increase with the reduction.

He explained: “You often don’t see a particular discernible impact on journey times for people because with the whole system changing, traffic flow can be better managed.

“We will also maintain speed limits on key arterial routes.

“So, there is no evidence that there’s been a massive change in times for people who do continue to use the car.

“But what we have seen is significant improvements in terms of road safety and reductions in road casualties for people on the streets.”

null (Image: Newsquest)

null (Image: Colin Mearns)

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The politician believes the new project will also move this change forward by altering Glaswegians’ attitude towards car usage and encouraging walking, wheeling and cycling.

He explained: “We want people to feel that they’re able to realistically choose these options for everyday journeys.

“We want to seek improvements to public transport and make spaces more welcoming, attractive, accessible and less car-dominated.

“I think it’s a really positive step for Glasgow and something that we’ve talked about as a city for a long time.”

David Gow, Emma Newman, Chinenye Vera Okonkwo, Artian Lushaku (Image: Police Scotland/Newsquest)

Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan (Image: Police Scotland)

We previously reported that Glasgow had more road incidents involving injury or death than anywhere else in Scotland over the last four years, with figures totalling 772.

In October last year, Glasgow City Council received £1m from the Scottish Government’s Road Safety Improvement Fund as part of a national effort to reduce road deaths.

This was announced after 14 people lost their lives on Glasgow’s roads in 2023 – including two children – and over 200 others were seriously injured.

French student Emma Newman, Nigerian student Chinenye Vera Okonkwo, 79-year-old David Gow, cyclist John Morton, five-year-old Ayan Khan Nooreen and 13-year-old Artian Lushaku were just some of the victims.

Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, head of road policing, said at the time: “I urge every driver and road user to think about their behaviour on the road, be considerate towards others and help us make Scotland’s roads safe for everyone.

“We all have a responsibility to use our roads safely and to help save lives.”

The Glasgow Times is running a series this week exploring the upcoming rollout of the 20mph zones across the city.

Do you have a story? Email eszter.tarnai@newsquest.co.uk.