YOUR VIEWS: On lower 20mph zones becoming the new norm in Highland villages and towns

20mph limits are the new norm for built-up areas in the Highlands.

They were agreed amid criticism of Highland Council’s ‘ostrich school of consultation’ as calls for nuanced approach were rejected by bosses.

But supporters have said that the move will make the region’s roads safer and greener.

We asked readers for their thoughts in The Briefing last week and here is what some of them had to say.

Why bother responding to a consultation when its clear that our arrogant Highland councillors aren't going to take any notice?

It’s another nail in the coffin for public engagement and faith in politicians.

The councils own survey data https://highlandcouncil.azurewebsites.net/highlandcouncil/atc-data# shows virtually zero compliance with the new limits in Strathspey, blowing a hole in the council’s argument of limited respondents.

I am in favour of 20 limits in village centres but the council’s blanket policy is unenforceable and disproportionate.

It also my understanding that emergency vehicles are advised that they should not exceed the speed limit by more than 50 per cent.

An ambulance travelling through Aviemore will now take at least one minute longer to get to an emergency than it did before but probably considerably longer allowing for the slower traffic.

Surveys have shown (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC32251/) that a three minute delay in responding to heart attacks results in a 20 per cent reduction in survival rates.

This policy likely kills more people than it saves.

Mike Dearman

Nethy Bridge

I agree this is a total sham of a supposed consultation. Unfortunately the moment all the little 20 signs went up you just knew that was that, why even pretend to ask us in the strath what we thought!

On Facebook I have seen plenty of comments about 'woke' councillors in relation to this but you have hit the nose on the head - just follow the money.

Utterly appalling.

Thelma Blewitt

Full marks for instigating a reaction to your report on Highland Council's decision to make permanent the 20mph limits in Badenoch and Strathspey.

Despite being a driver, I count myself as part of the ‘silent majority’ and fully support the council's decision. I did not take part in the consultation exercise.

I was, however, disappointed in your blatantly partisan reporting on the subject - which has simply reinforced why I am only an occasional buyer of the Strathy (...mainly to supply newsprint to clean the glass of my stove!).

In my opinion 20mph is plenty fast enough in built-up areas and makes these areas safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians and other road users - particularly when so many roads in Badenoch and Strathspey don't even have pavements!

Anonymous

(We have contacted the individual for their details)

This is an outrageous decision. Sheer bribery. It was obvious when Kingussie had a new painted 20mph ‘design’ on their north entrance road some weeks/months ago you sort of knew it was a done deal.

It’s no wonder the general public do not participate in these type of so called consultations. It could have been better publicised as well.

Ian Turner

Aviemore

This is an important step in making our built-up areas safer and more pleasant places to live. It also recognises the hierarchy of vulnerable road users established in the current version of The Highway Code.

It should be remembered that this exercise was a consultation not a vote – unlike votes not all arguments are equal.

Although the number of responses and the balance of support and objections is important the council and its officers will have weighed up the validity of the arguments presented on both sides along with the evidence that shows that 20 mph limits are safer, more beneficial to the environment and reduce pollution…

Looking through this 167-page document gives a much more nuanced view than the instant, knee jerk headlines.

At least 23 of the objectors based at least part of their objection to 20 mph limits on trunk roads such as the A9, A96 – especially through Nairn – and A82 which are national trunk roads and are not the responsibility of the Highland Council.

Included in Appendix 8 is a table showing the ‘cost per collision by road type and severity in Scotland’ (2023 at 2023 prices) ranging from fatal to slight with an average cost of £286,500 per collision.

It is estimated that a 10% reduction in collisions in the Highland area would provide a potential annual saving of nearly £290,000.

If achieved this will fairly quickly more than offset the capital cost of implementing the 20mph scheme – currently under £500,000.

All too predictably this decision has nonsensically been described as a ‘war on motorists’ – an inflammatory claim beloved by some politicians and by certain sections of the press, which has only encouraged a significant number of motorists to disregard speed limits and break the law and believe that they have the ‘divine right’ to choose what speed they drive at – ‘depending upon the prevailing road conditions’!

There is a widespread and erroneous belief that 20mph speed limits and presumably all speed limits are not enforceable.

How come then that, for instance, exceeding speed limits on the A9 and elsewhere can be recorded electronically without an excessive burden on police resources?

The crucial question is whether there is the political will to enforce speed limits and ignore the ludicrous charge that fining motorists for breaking the criminal law is a ‘tax raid’.

Like Councillor Michael Cameron I hope that attitudes to speeding will change, as they have to the compulsory wearing of seat belts since they were introduced in 1965.

Jim Budd

Newtonmore

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