POLL: Are you in favour of the new 20mph speed limits in Aviemore?

New temporary reduced 20mph speed limits have been brought in for many parts of Aviemore by Highland Council using Covid powers, but seem to have caught some motorists off-guard.

There were some complaints from drivers at the weekend that some of the new speed limit signs were not very visible after being installed on Grampian Road and in main residential areas.

Carrbridge could be the next village to see the speed limit cut from 30mph to 20mph.

The new speed restrictions in Aviemore are in place for the next 18 months but the council is keen to make them permanent. They include central Grampian Road, parts of Dalfaber Drive and almost all of the village’s residential streets.

They officially came into force at 6am on Monday and will apply 24 hours a day.

Local Highland councillor Bill Lobban said: “Watching the council staff put up 20mph signs at the weekend was quite special for me as I have been pushing for this for many years.

“It will improve safety for all our non-motorised road users especially children.

“It will, however, require cooperation from motorists as police officers cannot be everywhere.

“Hopefully this will just be the start of the roll-out all across our villages in Badenoch and Strathspey with Carrbridge following on very soon.”

Peter Long, Aviemore Community Council chairman, said the watchdog was pleased to see the lower limit in place.

He said: “The community council fully supports the reduced speed limits, and hopes that they will help make Aviemore safer and more pedestrian friendly.

“We anticipate supporting them becoming a permanent arrangement after the trial period.”

The council has said the temporary traffic order has been required to maintain social distancing and ensure public and road safety while coronavirus restrictions are in place.

The authority said it will keep the situation under review and will only revoke them before 18 months have elapsed if it considers the 20mph limits are no longer necessary.

Highland Council is keen for the 20mph limits to become permanent.

A local authority spokeswoman said they were pleased to have been able to bring in the new lower limits in Aviemore before the Christmas holidays.

She said: “The new speed limits have been implemented under the Scottish Government funded Spaces for People fund managed by Sustrans to implement safety measures to support walking, cycling and wheeling for both permitted journeys and exercise during the Covid-19 restrictions.

“The new speed limits are enforceable under a temporary traffic order, which runs for up to 18 months.

“Notice was posted on each street where the new limits apply and appeared in last Thursday’s Strathy.

“Both of these are available on our road safety web page at www.highland.gov.uk/roadsafetyconsultations .”

“We are currently unable to follow the procedures required to make a permanent traffic order, but it is our intention to promote such an order when we are able to do so to retain the current reduced speed limits.”

Council officials had apologised for the ‘rapid’ implementation of the proposed measures when informing the community council in the autumn. There would have to be a proper public consultation to make the reductions to 20mph permanent.

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