Glasgow councillors have expressed their condolences to the family of a student from France who died after a traffic collision in the city centre last week.

Cyclist Emma Newman, 22, from Moulineaux in Paris, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital after she was involved in a collision with a lorry in the city centre on Broomielaw at the King George Bridge on Friday morning. She passed away a short time later.  

During a meeting of the environment and liveable neighbourhoods committee on Tuesday to discuss the roll-out of 20mph speed limits, Green Councillor Jon Molyneux was the first to pay tribute to the student.

READ MORE: Cyclist, 22, who died after being hit by lorry named by police

He said: “I am pleased to see the paper progressing but I did want to make some comments about my constituent Emma Newman who members may be aware was a Glasgow School of Art student who was killed while cycling to her class on Friday.

“I do think it is important to convey our sincere condolences to her family who are here from France at the moment. 

“Regardless of the circumstances of that incident, I think it is important that we keep in mind the liveable neighbourhoods aspect [of this paper]. 

“What this committee does is about protecting and saving lives and that is the motivation for making sure that when we implement policies like this that we are getting them right and making them as effective as they possibly can be.”

Councillor Paul McCabe, added: “I want to align myself with the comments of the tragic accidents with the overseas student who was killed. 

“It is a road I travel on about four or five times a week and it has made me more aware of the dangers of that particular stretch. Prior to that, I didn’t think it was that dangerous. Condolences again to the family.”

He continued: “I think this 20mph zone works hand in hand with the low emission zone and it is important that we bring it forward.”

READ MORE: Plans for city wide 20mph speed limit gets cash boost from council

Following the meeting, Angus Millar, City Convener for Climate and Transport said a widespread 20mph speed limit would bring Glasgow in line with many other UK cities and help promote sustainable transport.

He added: “Quite simply, slower is safer. A citywide speed limit of 20mph is about improving road safety by helping to reduce the risk of accidents and the severity of injuries sustained.  

“Reducing the impact of traffic on communities will help us secure safer streets and contribute to the wider shift we need towards more sustainable forms of transport, which is vital if we are to achieve our target of Glasgow becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

“We know that many other cities have a default 20mph speed limit and the evidence that’s been gathered shows a minimal impact on the journey times for cars and buses.”