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Highland MSP calls for HGV trial to be rolled out





Shadow transport minister David Stewart
Shadow transport minister David Stewart

Lorries across Scotland should share the 50mph limit being trialled on the A9, if the evidence supports it.

That was the view this week from shadow transport minister and local MSP David Stewart.

The Scottish Labour man is pressing the Scottish Government to increase the limits for HGVs on single carriageways across the country.

Mr Stewart, who was instrumental in the establishment of the trial, led a member’s debate in the Scottish Parliament in 2013 with the aim to persuade both the Scottish and UK governments to increase the speed limits from 40mph.

He questioned his Scottish Government counterpart, Transport Minister Derek Mackay MSP, in Parliament on Tuesday (January 27) on the government policy, should the trial support an increase in speed.

“Is it Scottish Government policy to increase the speed limit for HGVs on single carriageways across Scotland to 50mph if the evidence from the A9 pilot and average speed cameras supports that?” he asked.

In response the Transport Minister said: “Our officials will use all the evidence that is available for specific roads, and the limit will reflect the circumstances on the road. If we have a partnership and a package of proposals such as we have had for the A9, we can change the speed limit accordingly.

“We will be flexible, but safety will always be paramount when this Government takes action on Scotland’s roads.”

Commenting after the debate Mr Stewart said: “The trial of the speed increase for HGVs on single carriageways along the A9 from 40 to 50 mph initially looks to have been successful.

“The Scottish Government should commit to lifting the speed limit to 50mph for HGVs on all single carriageways across Scotland if the evidence from the A9 trial shows there is a benefit to road safety.

“I have always called for the raising of the speed limits for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes from 40 to 50mph on single carriage ways, if there is evidence to support it, not only on the A9 but across Scotland and indeed the U.K.”

“The increase in speed for HGVs on the A9 has already been welcomed by the Road Haulage Association who’s drivers claim a significant improvement and there is also anecdotal evidence from many drivers that the increase in free flowing traffic has led to a reduction in dangerous overtaking, helping to limit the number of deaths and injuries on our roads.”


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