Speed limits in North Ayrshire

The speed limit on thousands of roads across Scotland is set to change to 20mph.

This is part of a national Scottish Government initiative to reduce speeds in urban areas and improve safety for all road users.

North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet noted the new strategy when it met in June 2025 to discuss the changes and agree its implementation locally.

The changes support the Scottish Government's National Strategy for 20mph, which aims to see the rollout of this safer speed limit in built-up areas across Scotland by the end of March 2026.

Through Scotland’s National 20mph Strategy, the government’s vision is “Slower today for a safer tomorrow”.

The driving force behind the change is to improve safety – with evidence showing when a vehicle collides with a pedestrian at 30mph, they are seven times more likely to die than at 20mph.

The key reasons for lowering the speed limit are:

• a reduction in the severity of and total number of road collisions
• creating safer spaces for all road users to enjoy
• encouraging a change in the way we travel for those shorter everyday journeys to promote healthier lifestyles and
• improving our communities, by lowering speeds in the places we live and grow.

The 20mph speed limits will be indicated by signs and road markings only. Transport Scotland will fund new signage that is required and is working with councils to ensure the trunk road network running through communities (the A78, A737 and A738 in North Ayrshire) is subject to the same consideration as local roads.

View our interactive map showing all the streets that are affected.

Additional information is available via Transport Scotland's frequently asked questions for the National Strategy for 20mph speed limits.