Controversial 20 mph speed limit for Wick amended
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A CONTROVERSIAL plan to impose a 20 mph speed limit on the majority of Wick roads has been amended and will not include the main routes through the town.
The A99 which runs through Wick from South Road to George Street will retain a 30 mph limit with the exception of Bridge Street and part of High Street, which will be restricted to 20 mph as a traffic-calming measure. The 30 mph limit will also be retained along Thurso Road.
The changes were made after local councillors opposed the scale of the proposed scheme which they described earlier in the year as "a blunt instrument". The proposal was mooted by Highland Council as a way to improve road safety and encourage walking and cycling.
However, Wick members were unhappy with the plans and the limited time for public consultation. They pushed for the consultation to be extended to give people more time to examine the proposals.
At the Caithness Committee meeting on Wednesday, it was reported that the plans have been changed to exclude most parts of the main roads in and out of Wick to help keep traffic flowing in that parts of the town.
The 20 mph will apply to a section of High Street and Bridge Street which was described as "an accident hotspot". The other streets affected are manly in residential areas or include school routes. Plans are also being made to have smiley face traffic-calming signs in Henrietta Street and Willowbank.
Councillor Nicola Sinclair, Wick and East Caithness, said the amended plans were "a more targeted response than the original blanket speed restrictions".
She said: "I support the 20 mph restriction around school zones and in built-up areas but feel a blanket ban is not appropriate. This way we will prevent driver frustration but will still keep our town centre safe for pedestrians."
The Caithness civic leader, Councillor Willie Mackay, described the amended plans as "a very good balance" on what was a controversial issue. "I think people will be happy with this once they get used to it," he said.
Councillor Mackay said traffic numbers had increased dramatically over the years and studies showed the average speed in the town was 24 to 26 mph.
The committee chairman, Councillor Matthew Reiss, Thurso and Northwest Caithness, said safety was the key issue in reducing the speed limit in many parts of the town.
"It will take time to change attitudes but I think this is a big step in the right direction," he said.
Councillor Reiss hoped the police would enforce the restriction and wondered if there would be any chance of camera speed detection vans being used to help out as the system is introduced. Rules around the use of camera vans have been relaxed, the meeting was told.
Funding for the scheme is coming from Transport Scotland’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places and the Highland Council capital programme with the design being financed by the sustainable transport charity Sustrans.
Estimated cost of the scheme is around £15,000 which includes, design, advertising, signing, lining and new poles.
Opponents of the scheme have questioned its necessity and justification. They have questioned whether accidents will reduce, highlighted the potential increase in driver frustration and pointed to the cost and enforcement of the scheme.
Councillor Karl Rosie, Thurso and Northwest Caithness, said there were problems in parts of Thurso. He wants talks with council officials to look at the situation there.
