PLANS to make Dunbar “the first 20mph town in East Lothian” are on track.

East Lothian Council’s cabinet has agreed to progress plans to monitor the effectiveness of a reduced speed limit on roads to the north of the East Coast Main Line in the town over an 18-month trial period.

An existing 20mph limit is already in place south of the railway line.

The new move follows a campaign from local groups, including Dunbar Community Council, for a reduced speed limit in the interests of safety.

East Lothian Council will now begin the statutory procedures necessary to put the extended speed limit in place. That will include consultation with stakeholders such as Police Scotland, before a further consultation will give members of the public their say.

Herbert Coutts, a member of the town’s community council, has been one of those driving the campaign forward. He said: “The community council carried out an extensive survey to attempt to measure the views of the public about the introduction of a 20 miles per hour trial north of the railway line.

“We received a very supportive response and it is my hope that the trial will be successful and that, with an existing 20mph limit being in place south of the railway, Dunbar will become the first 20mph town in East Lothian.

“Our view is that reducing traffic speed in urban areas to 20mph is a worthwhile safety measure, particularly for pedestrians including children and the elderly.”

Discussions about the idea of reducing the speed limit in much of the town, not including major roads such as Belhaven Road, east of the town’s primary school, and Belhaven High Street, have been ongoing for a number of months.

At public meetings, council officials have stressed it would be a 20mph limit and there were no plans to introduce speed bumps or other measures to slow vehicles down.

Dunbar and East Linton ward councillor Michael Veitch is also the council’s spokesman for roads and transport. He said: “Reducing the speed of vehicles can help save lives and make streets safer for other road users and the public alike.

“That’s why the council supports the introduction of 20mph speed limits where appropriate and supported by the public. Last Tuesday’s cabinet decision kickstarts a process towards introducing an experimental 20mph speed limit in much of Dunbar.

“This follows work between the council and local groups, including the community council and Sustaining Dunbar, on a range of other measures to promote sustainable and safe methods of travel in the town.”