Caithness Roads Recovery calling for extra traffic-calming measures near Pennyland school
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A campaign group is calling for extra traffic-calming measures close to a Thurso school following concerns over congestion and excessive speed.
Caithness Roads Recovery (CRR) believes that speed bumps and additional signage would enhance safety in the vicinity of Pennyland Primary School.
At a meeting of Thurso Community Council last week it was suggested that a software problem was causing a malfunction with the 20 mph warning system around school routes in the town – but this was later rebutted by Highland Council. The local authority said there was no issue with the system, which operates flashing lights to indicate the restricted speed limit.
Worries were also raised about the dangers of crossing streets where large numbers of vehicles are parked, and the speeds of some drivers during school times.
CRR co-founder Iain Gregory, a retired police area commander and qualified accident investigator, attended the meeting. He stressed the importance of compliance with the 20 mph limit near schools, pointing out: "Twenty is the maximum speed and often it is too fast, especially in congested conditions.
"With blanket 20 mph restrictions now in place, it is even more vital that drivers are reminded that they are approaching a school and to exercise maximum caution."
After the meeting, Mr Gregory visited the area with a community council member.
"The area is very congested," Mr Gregory said. "There are a lot of parked vehicles, particularly at school times, and there is anecdotal evidence of excessive speed.
"I concluded that there is most certainly a need to install further traffic-calming measures to reduce traffic speeds. Speed bumps similar to those installed near Miller Academy would be useful, as would additional signage, and speed indication devices.
"Subsequently I have become aware that there is documented history going back as far as 2016, with Highland Council agreeing that measures were indeed planned but which have never been implemented.
"I have submitted a full report to Thurso Community Council, summarising my findings, and copied this to Councillor Matthew Reiss, who has been involved from the outset."
