Highland Council rejects claim that 20mph speed limit system at Thurso schools is not working
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A claim that a software problem is causing issues for a 20mph speed limit system at schools in Thurso has been rebutted by Highland Council.
The local authority said there is no issue with the system, which operates flashing lights to indicate the restricted speed at schools. A spokeswoman said the lights are working.
The matter was raised at the latest meeting of the Thurso Community Council when it was claimed the lights were not operating in the town and it was suggested the problem – said to be a software issue – could extend to other areas of Caithness.
Local Highland councillor Ron Gunn said any difficulties should be rectified as soon as possible as the system was introduced for safety reasons.
Iain Gregory of the Caithness Roads Recovery pointed out that if a vehicle is travelling at 40mph and is in a crash the chances are there will be a fatality. At 30mph it is rated at 50-50 chance of survival but at 20mph a child could be back "running about a few weeks later".
However, a Highland Council spokeswoman said: "There are no widespread software issues and the lights are working. The previous ongoing problems were resolved and signs back in operation after the Easter 2021 school holidays when we replaced the master control units at every school in the Highlands to a new supplier following the original kit being obsolete."
She added: "We have had two recent faults in Caithness at Bower and Reay but both were repaired within a few days of being reported as faulty."
Later, Mr Gregory, giving an update on the condition of Caithness roads, said his campaign group is getting reports of damage to vehicles every day due to potholes.
"The biggest one I have seen so far is for just over £2000 for expensive damage to an expensive car," he told the meeting.
Mr Gregory, a former senior police officer, said the £200 million it is estimated to cost Highland Council to fix the roads is likely to be much higher with rising costs and inflation.
He said it would probably now take £30 million rather than £20 million to get roads in Caithness back to where they were.
Mr Gregory said the money for the roads must come from the Scottish Government as it is a huge problem and affects areas all over the country.
He said money also could be provided by the Levelling Up Fund to help maintain the infrastructure in Caithness. The £4.8 billion government fund is designed to invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK and will support town centre and high street regeneration, local transport projects, and cultural and heritage assets.
