Caithness Committee approves road safety action for Wick

The safety of children walking and cycling to and from school and traffic calming measures in Wick were under the spotlight at yesterdays meeting of the Caithness Committee (Wednesday 21 February).

Local Councillors have given the go-ahead for proposals to introduce a 20mph speed limit and traffic calming measures across Wick designed to get motorists to slow down when driving around the town.

The scheme will include introducing gateway signage, roundels, 20mph repeater signs and Speed Indication Devices.

Money will come from the £50,000 per year of capital funding allocated by the Council to implementation 20mph speed limit schemes across the Highlands in addition to the £100k Carbon Clever Capital contribution.

Chair of the Caithness Committee Councillor Donnie Mackay said: “Every 11 minutes someone in Scotland is stopped for speeding. We take the safety of children, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers very seriously which is why I’m pleased to see plans to put in place this 20mph speed limit across the town moving forward.” 

Wick Councillor and Caithness Civic Leader, Cllr Willie Mackay added: “The consequences of speeding in a built- up area can be devastating. The impact sustained by a child struck by a vehicle at 20mph is serious enough, but at 30mph the results could prove fatal. I am sure the new lower speed limit will encourage all road users to take greater care and consider other people.”

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 the proposals approved attract any relevant objections a further report will be back to Committee for members to discuss.

The timing of the decision made by councillors today is timely as the Council is actively supporting the current Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland media campaign which promotes the clear message to all road users; In Town, Slow Down.

Members of the Committee were advised that the Council’s Road Safety team will continue their work to improve the safety of all road users in Caithness through education, raising public awareness, improving road layouts and partnership working with the Safer Routes to School Programme