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Milton, Karen 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0506-2214, Baker, Graham, Cleland, Claire L., Cope, Andy, Hunter, Ruth F., Jepson, Ruth, Kee, Frank, Kelly, Paul, Williams, Andrew J. and Kelly, Michael P.
(2024)
The tales of two cities: Use of evidence for introducing 20 miles per hour speed limits in Edinburgh and Belfast (United Kingdom).
Health Research Policy and Systems, 22.
ISSN 1478-4505
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Abstract
Background: In 2016, large-scale 20 miles per hour speed limits were introduced in the United Kingdom cities of Edinburgh and Belfast. This paper investigates the role that scientific evidence played in the policy decisions to implement lower speed limits in the two cities. Methods: Using a qualitative case study design, we undertook content analysis of a range of documents to explore and describe the evolution of the two schemes and the ways in which evidence informed decision-making. In total, we identified 16 documents for Edinburgh, published between 2006 and 2016, and 19 documents for Belfast, published between 2002 and 2016. Findings: In both cities, evidence on speed, collisions and casualties was important for initiating discussions on large-scale 20 mph policies. However, the narrative shifted over time to the idea that 20 mph would contribute to a wider range of aspirations, none of which were firmly grounded in evidence, but may have helped to neutralize opposing discourses. Discussion and conclusions: The relationship between evidence and decision-making in Edinburgh and Belfast was neither simple nor linear. Widening of the narrative appears to have helped to frame the idea in such a way that it had broad acceptability, without which there would have been no implementation, and probably a lot more push back from vested interests and communities than there was.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Availability of data and materials: Much of the data are publicly available. We have made it clear which documents are not publicly available. Funding information: The Is 20 plenty for health? project was funded by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research (PHR) grant 15/82/12. This paper presents independent research funded by the NIHR. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Health Service, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. The funding was awarded to: Professor Ruth Jepson (PI) of Edinburgh University. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | 20 mph,evidence,policy,speed limit,health policy ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2719 |
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | LivePure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Sep 2024 16:30 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Nov 2024 10:44 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/96679 |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s12961-024-01213-8 |
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