Lack of enforcement of 20mph limits in Highlands is ‘ridiculous’

Police Scotland’s ‘failure’ to enforce new 20mph speed limits in local communities in the strath and wider Highlands has been described as ‘ridiculous’.

Highland Council introduced the temporary reduced limit - down from 30mph - in 125 communities as part of a Scottish Government funded pilot beginning in July 2023.

The local authority signalled its intent to make the reduced limit permanent at the end of last year with a six-months public consultation currently under way.

But local Highland councillor Bill Lobban again highlighted what he believes is little to no enforcement of the 20mph limit by Police Scotland.

He told Lochaber-based area commander Chief Inspector Ross McCartney at the council’s latest area committee meeting: “I appreciate that it is not within the control of local police but the idea that we should not be reinforcing 20mph speed limits is just ridiculous and if you can pass that up the line yet again…

“This is something that has been decided upon nationally - wrongly in my opinion.”

Councillor Lobban also highlighted the ‘patchy’ attendance by police representatives at community council meetings in the strath - and suggested a new approach.

He told the police boss: “I’ll be honest with you, I do not think we should expect police officers to attend every community council meeting.”

“I do not think it is required but what would be helpful is a very quick report given to community councils telling them what is going on in their own area.

“Some community councils get a police officer every single meeting and some have not seen one for five years.

“It is helpful if the community knows what is going on.”

Chief Inspector McCartney told the four ward councillors meeting in Kingussie that he would escalate both issues, adding: “Should community councils chairs feel they have not heard from a police officer in five years then please flag it to the local area inspector and we can look into that.”

Chief Inspector Richard Ross, from Road Policing Unit North, told the Strathy after the meeting that road safety is a priority for Police Scotland.

He said: “We are firmly committed to working with our partners to reduce casualties on roads across the Highland area.

“Officers routinely carry out patrols to educate road users and carry out enforcement.

“We prioritise those locations which represent the greatest risk. This could include sites of previous collisions where speed has been a factor and areas with vulnerable road users, for example at key arterial routes and roads near schools.

“The dangers of speeding are well-known. People who speed not only put themselves at risk, but also other members of the public and drivers should take responsibility for their own actions when they get behind the wheel.

“The introduction of a 20mph speed limit is one method of speed management.

“It should not be implemented in isolation but considered alongside a range of other measures to manage speed and improve safety for all road users while raising awareness of the importance of road safety and the consequences of taking risks on local roads.”

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