Highland Council to use Covid powers to cut Aviemore speed limit to 20mph
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Moves are afoot to cut the speed limit on Aviemore’s main street from 30mph to just 20mph, whether residents are in favour or not.
Highland Council officials have notified the village’s community council of their plans to slow down traffic along much of Grampian Road.
And even if there are objections, they can still press ahead as part of their temporary Covid-19 powers.
They said they are consulting with the watchdog out of courtesy, and the move is to encourage people to get about on foot and by bike.
Council officials have said that local councillors are very supportive of the move and they have even extended the proposed temporary 20mph zone at their suggestion.
The lower speed limit will be in place for 18 months under the traffic order, but the local authority is already keen to extend this period on a permanent basis once it expires.
A council spokesperson stated: “As a response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Scottish Government introduced the Spaces for People fund to provide temporary measures to support physical distancing and also encourage walking, wheeling and cycling, and invited rapid grant applications from statutory bodies.”
An application was made to the fund, managed by Sustrans, for the temporary move as 20mph limits were identified as eligible.
The spokesperson said: “This also fits with the council’s strategy to introduce 20mph speed limits as a measure to improve road safety, and provide an environment to encourage walking and cycling.
“These emergency measures are designed to encourage a modal shift to active travel for essential journeys and aid social distancing during the pandemic.”
Community councillors have until November 18 to raise any issues.
Council officials apologised for the “rapid” implementation of the measure, and stated: “We are hopeful that the community council are supportive of this positive measure for social distancing and active travel in the Aviemore area."
There would have to be a proper public consultation to make the permanent reduction to 20mph along Grampian Road.
The main road through Aviemore is not regarded as an accident blackspot and there are several sets of traffic lights in the village centre including by the new Aviemore retail park.
