Most local Highland councillors for strath reiterate support for lower 20mph limit
The majority of local Highland councillors have reiterated their support for permanent 20mph zones in built-up areas in the strath and wider region.
Member of the authority’s economy and infrastructure committee agreed last Thursday at Inverness headquarters to a Traffic Road Order making the new lower limits the norm in 125 settlements across the region.
Some councillors delivered significant criticism of what one opponent called the ‘ostrich school of consultation’ and described the move as a ‘war on motorists’.
Three of the four Badenoch and Strathspey members supported the cut from 30mph.
Councillor Bill Lobban (Independent) said: “This is a road safety issue not economics despite exaggerated claims by some council members.
“The simple and irrefutable fact is that lower speed limits within our towns and villages saves lives.
“The chance of a child being killed or very seriously injured when struck by a car travelling at 20mph is dramatically reduced when compared to 30mph.
“To those who are still opposed to the new limit a question is giving up a few seconds of your valuable time worth a child's life?
“What we need now is a commitment from Police Scotland that they will actively enforce the new limits. This was the right decision made for the right reasons"
Area committee chair councillor Russell Jones (Independent) said: “I was happy to speak and vote in favour of the 20mph speed limits in our towns and villages being made permanent across the Highlands.
“I have not had any communication from any constituents in Badenoch and Strathspey to say they were against the lower limit whereas I have had many communications regarding stronger enforcement of the ‘20’s’.
“I hope the police can be persuaded - and find the funding - to periodically visibly enforce the 20mph limits within our communities.”
He added: “Council officers recommended that one stretch of road - the A938 in Carrbridge - be returned to a 30mph limit which residents of this road are totally against and the chair of E&I committee agreed to my request that this decision be revisited’.
Local member Muriel Cockburn (SNP) said: “I believe the safety of all road users in our communities is of paramount importance.
Anything we can do to limit serious injury from traffic collisions is really important. I also want all age groups to feel safe walking and cycling .
“We must also be aware of the wildlife in our villages for example the ducks and ducklings in Newtonmore and Kingussie.”
However councillor John Bruce (Scottish Conservative) seconded an unsuccessful amendment from the Tory group at council leader to scrap the 20mph limits across the region.
He then supported a further amendment to postpone the reduced speed limits being made permanent until next May but this also failed.
He told the Strathy afterwards: “It’s very early days and we should let the lower limit run but keep an open mind about its future.”
Councillors were generally supportive of appropriate 20mph limits while at the same time noting major problems with the implementation – not least of all enforcement.
Inverness South councillor Duncan Macpherson said during the debate he could not find the evidence in the consultation responses for supporting the policy calling it the ‘ostrich school of consultation’.
