Speed limit plan in over 100 Highland areas, including Caithness, making progress
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PLANS for 20mph speed limits in over 100 areas in the Highlands, including Caithness, are making progress with over 75 per cent of the groundwork complete, according to the local authority.
The Temporary Road Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) for the scheme went live on Monday while the 20mph road signs are being manufactured by a company based in Muir of Ord. Other work is ongoing.
Highland Council's road safety team is working closely with Transport Scotland on the pilot project. It is expected the legal orders to bring 20 mph speed limits into effect on trunk roads, at locations agreed with Highland Council, along with the associated signing, will be completed as soon as possible.
Councillor Ken Gowans, the chairman of the council's economy and infrastructure committee, said: "Our road safety team has been working very hard to get this ambitious project to this stage of roll-out. The consultation work, which is part of the statutory process to consider any adjustments that may be beneficial, as part of this pilot, prior to making any of these new limits permanent, will now begin with engagement with communities to seek their feedback and opinions in local contexts."
He added: "This, along with our review of how the speed limits themselves are performing, will allow decisions to be made regarding the performance of the 20 mph limits and whether these will be maintained going forward, whether further work is required to support the new limits or in certain areas speeds will revert back to 30mph. Speed count data at over 250 sites around the council area will be gathered in the autumn as part of this ongoing work."
Detailed information on the programme, including an interactive map showing the location of all the 20 mph schemes in Highland communities, the council-wide TTRO and schedule and further information can be found on the council’s website by visiting www.highland.gov.uk/20mph
Seventeen locations in Caithness have been approved by Transport Scotland for the reduced speed limit, with a further 16 in Sutherland and others across the Highlands.
