Local communities who want to crack down on speeding drivers are being offered a price list of interventions to choose from.
East Lothian Council's cabinet this week agreed to make 20mph zones introduced during the pandemic in town centres permanent as it approved its new speed limit policy for the county.
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And it has included a shopping list of additional options open to communities, encouraging them to apply to their area partnerships for funding.
The list ranges from low cost options such as the introduction of buffer zones where speeds are reduced as vehicles approach a village to more expensive measures such as widening long stretches of footpaths or installing 'pedestrian refuge' traffic islands.
The revised speed limit policy follows a survey of residents last year which the council says saw six out of ten people say they believed the lower speed limits have made it safer for children, with more than half keen to keep them in some if not all places.
However it also found 73% of residents said drivers ignored the speed limits.
During earlier discussions at the cabinet meeting this morning Councillor Lachlan Bruce questioned whether 20mph limits could be enforced adding that Police Scotland's website says "it does not routinely enforce 20mph limits".
However the council's director of infrastructure Tom Reid said officers had been working with police to draw up the new policy.
He said: "In the last financial year they (Police Scotland) did enforce 20mph limits in East Lothian and East Lothian had on of the highest, if not the highest speed management."
The new hierarchy of speeds in East Lothian's towns would see 40mph on roads on the outskirts with only a few buildings lining them, with 30mph roads described as streets where vehicles are given a higher priority than the "place function".
However 20mph areas will be introduced in residential streets or those with a high pedestrian or cyclist movement such as town centres or around schools.
And it introduces the designation of popular walking areas as Quiet Roads where signs will encourage drivers to take more care alerting them to the possibility of pedestrians, cyclists or equestrian on the road.
Road services manager Alan Stubbs said the policy includes a list of options available to local communities who want more action along with a cost rating to make them aware of how expensive they are.
He said: "If a community feels its needs a speed limit sign or other alternative we have set out in the report it can put an application in to its area parternship for that."
Area partnerships in East Lothian receive funding direct from the council to distribute to local projects annually.
Following the decision to unanimously approve the new policy Councillor John McMillan encouraged communities to talk about what they want on their streets.
Mr McMillan, economic development and transport spokesperson, said: "The new Speed Limit Policy has very much been shaped by the views of our local communities.
"People who live and/or work in our towns and villages are best placed to advise on appropriate speed limits within their communities that reflect the need for safe travel options.
"The Policy provides clear guidance for future requests to review speed limits and also introduces the concept of ‘Quiet Roads’ within the county.
“Quiet Roads are increasingly being implemented on rural roads across Scotland where traffic volumes and speed limits may already be low and are aimed at encouraging people to travel by foot, by bike and on horseback.
The council will consider proposals to introduce Quiet Roads as part of an active travel network that encourages people to consider walking or cycling for everyday journeys."
