Community leaders say battle for lower 30mph speed limit in Dalwhinnie is 'ridiculous'
Transport Scotland is to launch a consultation later this year to extend the 40mph speed limit through Dalwhinnie following pressure from Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes.
The village’s watchdog has welcomed confirmation as ‘some progress’ but described their battle for lower speed limits as ‘ridiculous’ when 20mph speed limits are being rolled out across nearly every town and village in the Highlands.
At a recent meeting in the village, many local residents reported concerns about speeding drivers on the A889 trunk road.
Ms Forbes subsequently met with senior Transport Scotland officials about the matter.
Transport Scotland have told the politician they now hope to extend the 40mph zone to build upon recent improvements to the pavement. Other safety measures, such as ‘40’ road markings showing the speed limit on the road surface, with red coloured surfacing to give greater emphasis, will also be introduced.
Ms Forbes said: “Because the A889 is so straight going through the village, speeding has been a long-standing concern for Dalwhinnie residents.
“I’m pleased that Transport Scotland has listened and that they will be launching a consultation before the end of the year on extending the present 40mph zone.
“Of course if there are objections the process could take some time but I hope that extending the limit will help improve road safety.”
Jen Dickinson, Dalwhinnie Community Council chairwoman, said: “It is ridiculous the speed limit jumps to 60mph between the village hall and the traffic lights at the rail bridge out past the distillery and along an adjacent footpath at the roadside.
“Previous community councils as well as the current one have been requesting a reduced limit throughout the village to 30mph, however, once we realised this was deemed unnecessary we started with pushing for the 40mph to the rail bridge at least.
“Bear confirmed to me on August 25 after consultation with Traffic Scotland and the police they intended to extend the 40mph zone out 600m to the rail bridge traffic lights, beyond the distillery.
“It is madness we are seeing 20mph rollouts across Scotland through villages and towns yet we are still at 40mph and have had such a struggle to get an extension to cover the village where many tourists walk alongside the road to the distillery.
“The A889 is a main road connecting Fort William and the west to the A9 and centre of Scotland so we see a lot of HGVs, as well as tourists passing through at speeds often exceeding the current 40mph limit.”
