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Most Highland communities could move to 20mph speed limits by next summer in Scottish first

Image: Vicki Butler-Henderson
Image: Vicki Butler-Henderson

Highland Council is set to agree a 20mph speed limit in 130 villages and towns.

Transport Scotland has asked Highland Council to be its pilot local authority for a national 20mph speed limit plan.

If agreed, the vast majority of towns and villages that are currently 30mph will drop to 20mph zones by summer 2023.

Transport Scotland will fully fund the roll-out for Highland Council, representing a significant investment in the area.

Highland Council wants to add more 20mph speed zones

Scottish Government policy aims to move all appropriate roads in built-up areas to 20mph by 2025.

Highland Council has already delivered the speed restrictions in 70 areas. It says with more funding and staff, it could deliver more.

The council report states that Transport Scotland has invited Highland Council to front the pilot due to the high standard of its work to date.

If members agree to the pilot, it will attract significant funding to the council. It will also see Transport Scotland pay for Tracsis speed monitoring technology, which will help the council evaluate road safety before and after speed restrictions.

Members of the council’s economy committee will vote on the plan this Thursday 10 November.

Council to examine 30mph zones for further speed reductions

If the council presses ahead with the pilot, it will assess 130 settlements for the 20mph scheme (see the full list in the council report, at the end of Item 8).

It will not include areas that currently operate a 40mph, 50mph or 60mph speed limit. Instead, transport planners will focus on existing 30mph areas to see if they could slow speeds there.

Many 30mph roads in towns and villages will see speeds reduced to 20mph if the pilot goes ahead. Image: Mhairi Edwards / DC Thomson

In practice, only A or B roads with few residential or retail premises will remain at 30mph.

The council will assess roads against a variety of criteria. Roads that are close to a school, community centre, place of worship or medical facility could move to 20mph. Streets with more than 20 shops or homes will also be considered for the 20 limit.

The council will also look at any existing 30mph stretch where slower speeds could help vulnerable road users and improve the environment, community and quality of life.

Council should exercise caution, says roads campaigner

Iain Gregory, former police boss and co-founder of Caithness Roads Recovery campaign, expressed some concern about any blanket speed restrictions.

“There is a place for 20mph speed limits, perhaps especially in residential areas and near schools,” said Mr Gregory. “However I do have reservations about any rollout of blanket speed limits. Road safety is a far more complex issue than just speed and there are lots of other aspects to take into account.

Iain Gregory of the Caithness Roads Recovery Group. Image: Sandy McCook / DC Thomson

“I’d suggest it would be wise for Highland Council to await the outcome of the introduction of 20mph zones in the Borders and consider the accident statistics there before imposing 20 zones on Highland towns and villages.”

In addition, Mr Gregory said existing speed calming measures should be retained.

“At the moment in many towns we have things like the flashing 20mph signs telling motorists to slow down around schools,” he said. “It’s vital to retain warning measures like these because we know these encourage drivers to slow down where there are kids around. We need to keep reinforcing that.

“Ultimately, the council will need to strike a balance between achieving a free flow of traffic and promoting road safety. I’d exercise some caution in how they approach that.”

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