The A737 Trunk Road (Beith) (Temporary 30mph Speed Restriction) Order 2025
The Scottish Ministers give notice that they have made the above Order under sections 2(1), 4(1) and 14(1)(b) and (4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, which will have the effect of imposing a temporary 30mph speed restriction on that length of the A737/A738 St James Interchange – Kilwinning – Hawkhill Trunk Road from its junction with the link road to Roebank Road (B7049) to a point 70 metres or thereby south of its junction with the link to Roebank Road a distance of 70 metres or thereby.
The Order, which is required for the interest of road safety, will be in operation from 4 February 2025 until 4 February 2026 and will only have effect in relation to such part or parts of the length of road as is indicated by the appropriate traffic signs.
The Order does not apply to vehicles falling within regulation 3(4) of the Road Traffic Exemptions (Special Forces) (Variation and Amendment) Regulations 2011 when used in accordance with regulation 3(5) of those Regulations, or vehicles being used in an emergency for coastguard purposes.
Alternative routes
For information about roadworks on motorways and trunk roads visit Traffic Scotland.
S C WILSON
A member of the staff of the Scottish Ministers
Transport Scotland
George House
36 North Hanover Street
Glasgow
G1 2AD
Statement of Compatibility
In accordance with section 23(2) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 (the Act), the Scottish Ministers certify that, in their view, theA835LochGarve (Temporary 30mph Speed Restriction)Order 2025is compatible with the UNCRC requirements as defined by section 1(2) of the Act.
Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA)
Disclaimer
This document is a point in time assessment of the likely effects of the A737 Trunk Road (Beith) (Temporary 30mph Speed Restriction) Order 2025 on the rights and wellbeing of children and young people.
Scottish Government acknowledge the importance of monitoring and evaluating the impact of strategic decisions and legislation on children’s rights and wellbeing. Any information gathered during implementation of the legislation or strategic decision to which the impact assessment relates, will be used to inform future determinations of impact. Any new strategic decision or new legislation (including amending legislation) would be subject to a new CRWIA in line with the legislative requirements.
Introduction
- Brief Summary (Guidance Section 3.2, page 20).
Type of proposal
(Please choose from either Bill, SSI or Decision of a strategic nature relating to the rights and wellbeing of children)
Applicable answer: SSI
Name the proposal, and describe its overall aims and intended purpose.
The proposal is an order with the title “The A737 Trunk Road (Beith) (Temporary 30mph Speed Restriction) Order 2025”. This order allows part of the A737 trunk road to have a reduced speed limit of 30mph when the type of traffic sign specified in the order is displayed (see the schedule of the order for the specific length of road to be closed). The proposed 30mph speed limit will be introduced to improve road safety at the A737 junction with Bypass Road and Roebuck Road. Start date of proposal’s development: January 2025
Start date of CRWIA process: January 2025
- With reference given to the requirements of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024, which aspects of the proposal are relevant to children’s rights? (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 20-22).
The proposed temporary 30mph speed limit will have no impact on children or young people’s ability to access school and/or childcare facilities, higher or further education institutions, hospitals, places for recreational activity, and places of worship. None of the facilities listed are near this section of road. The only aspect relevant to children and young people both directly and indirectly is the positive impact of protecting public safety by reducing the speed limit to 30mph, which will maintain a safer junction at A737 Bypass Road – Roebank Road, therefore positively impacting article 6.
- Please provide a summary of the evidence gathered which will be used to inform your decision-making and the content of the proposal. (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 22-25).
From:
- existing research/reports/policy expertise
- consultation/feedback from stakeholders
- consultation/feedback directly from children and young people
The proposed temporary 30mph speed limit has no impact on access to facilities for children and young people or their families, carers or representatives.
The local authority, North Ayrshire Council, as well as Police Scotland have been consulted on the proposal to make the existing 30mph speed limit permanent. Both have confirmed they are content to maintain the 30mph speed limit.
- Further to the evidence described at ‘3’ have you identified any 'gaps' in evidence which may prevent determination of impact? If yes, please provide an explanation of how they will be addressed (Guidance Section 3.2, page 26).
N/A
- Analysis of Evidence (Guidance Section 3.2, page 26).
N/A
- What changes (if any) have been made to the proposal as a result of this assessment? (Guidance Section 3.2, page 26)
N/A
Conclusion
- As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all UNCRC requirements, what is the potential overall impact of this proposal on children’s rights? (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 26-27):
(Please choose from positive, negative, neutral or no impact, Please note you can have both a positive and negative impact on children’s rights.)
Children’s Rights (Annex 1)
Applicable answer(s): positive
- If you have identified a positive impact on children’s rights, please describe below how the proposal will protect, respect, and fulfil children’s rights in Scotland. (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 27-28).
Responses above imply the reduction in speed at the junction improves road safety, which positively impact’s children’s article 6 rights
- If a negative impact has been identified please describe below. Is there a risk this could potentially amount to an incompatibility? (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 28-29).
Not applicable
Mitigation Record
What options have been considered to modify the proposal in order to mitigate negative impact or potential incompatibility issues?
Please summarise mitigation actions taken below
Issue or risk Identified per article/Optional Protocol
Not applicable
Action Taken/ To Be Taken
Not applicable
Date action to be taken or was taken
Not applicable
- As a result of the evidence gathered and analysed against all wellbeing indicators, will the proposal contribute to the wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland? (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 29-30).
(Please choose from yes, no or not applicable)
Applicable answer: Not applicable
If yes, please provide and explanation below:
- How will you communicate to children and young people the impact that the proposal will have on their rights? (Guidance Section 3.2, page 31)
The CRWIA will be published and has been written in accessible language so as to allow for children and young people to understand its content and the potential impact (or no impact) on their rights.
Post Assessment Review and sign-off
- Planning for the review of impact on children’s rights and wellbeing (Guidance Section 3.2, pages 31).
As part of the decision-making process, plans for reviewing the impact on children’s rights and wellbeing need to be developed.
- How will the impact of the proposal on children’s rights and wellbeing be monitored?
- When will you review and update the CRWIA if required?
As above at point 8, reducing the speed will improve children’s safety, with the proposal to make the existing temporary 30mph restriction a permanent measure. This will be reviewed via any feedback recorded through the standard customer feedback form on the Amey Southwest Trunk Road website or email correspondence from local residents or elected members.
No new facilities are required to be constructed as part of the TRO process. In the unlikely event that new facilities are required, which are accessible by children within the 30mph speed limit section, due regard will be given to any potential changes to the impact to children and young people.
- Sign off.
Policy Lead Signature & Date of Sign Off: Neil Lang 28/1/25
Deputy Director Signature & Date of Sign Off: Stuart Wilson 28/1/25
Date CRWIA team first contacted: 17/01/2025