Roll out of 20mph zones in Ross and Cromarty
Work to implement a 20mph speed limit project in the Ross and Cromarty Area is moving forward and at today’s meeting of the Area Committee, Councillors gave their go-ahead to specific proposals for four Ross-shire towns.
Capital funding of £50,000 per year for the implementation of 20mph speed limit schemes across the Highland Council Area has been approved until 2022/23. An additional £100k Carbon Clever Capital contribution funding was also awarded to the project.
The schemes approved by members are for Alness, Dingwall, Invergordon and Tain. In all four towns this will involve introducing gateway signage, roundels, 20mph repeater signs and Speed Indication Devices. In addition to these speed calming measures, in Alness the introduction of a pedestrian crossing at the North end of the High Street is also being investigated. Also being looked at in Invergordon is the introduction of lining and reinstating old hatching to narrow the carriageway width on the High Street, while in Dingwall enhanced signage and lining at crossing points on Old Evanton Road is being investigated too.
Chair of the Ross and Cromarty Area Committee, Councillor Fiona Robertson said: “The aim of the 20mph programme is to save lives and to reduce accidents and injury, especially to our young people and this is something as a Committee we take very seriously.
“I am pleased that work to extend 20mph speed restrictions in Tain, Invergordon, Alness and Dingwall can progress. The impact sustained by a child who is struck by a vehicle at 20mph is serious enough, but at 30mph the results could prove fatal.”
“In the meantime the Council’s Road Safety team will continue their work to improve the safety of all road users through education, raising public awareness, improving road layouts and partnership working with the Safer Routes to School Programme.”
All 20mph speed limit schemes require to be supported by formal Road Traffic Regulation Orders. Now the members have approved the proposals, officers will consult with communities with the aim to implement the schemes during 2018/19. If any of the proposals approved attract any relevant objections a further report will be back to Committee for members to discuss.