New 20mph speed limits for towns and villages on A76

A series of new 20 mph speed limit zones are to be introduced to sections of the A76 between Dumfries and Kilmarnock.

Drivers travelling through Carronbridge, Thornhill, Kirkconnel and Sanquhar currently have to limit their speed to no more than 30mph.

The new limits, introduced by Transport Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway Council, will be introduced to the towns and villages through March.

They said the initiative is designed to improve safety. The new limits will be in place for up to 18 months before a decision is made on whether to make them permanent.

It follows a similar move late last year, which saw 20mph limits introduced in towns on the A75, A77 and A701.

Transport Scotland said research shows that a pedestrian is seven times more likely to survive if they are hit by a car at 20mph, rather than 30mph.

The 20mph zones will be in place at:

• Carronbridge from Friday 6 March: A 528m (577 yards) stretch from just north of the junction with Waulkmill Park to north of the junction with Carronbank
• Thornhill from Friday 13 March: From just north the junction with the A702 at Gill Road to south of the junction with Cairnkinna Crescent - a total of 762m (833 yards)
• Kirkconnel from Friday 20 March: A 1.3km (0.8 mile) stretch between the a point just west of the junction with Duke Street and just east of the junction with Poveoch Terrace
• Sanquhar from Friday 31 March: From north of the junction with Castlemains Road to north of the junction with Blackaddie Road - a total of 1.5km (0.9 mile)

Transport Scotland said vehicles would be monitored during the 18 month period to assess the effectiveness of the speed limit.

They said they would consider feedback from Police Scotland and the local community, among others, as part of their evaluation.