Committee approves traffic calming measures in Caithness

At yesterday’s meeting of the Caithness Committee (Monday 22 August 2022) Members approved several traffic calming measures to improve road safety, especially for young people walking or cycling to and from school.

As part of the ongoing Safer Routes to School programme the Council’s Road Safety Team has been working with Noss Primary School in Wick to reduce the barriers to active travel. The school has highlighted traffic speed and the safety of crossings are currently areas of concern for parents and pupils.

Following discussions, the Committee agreed that in order to improve road safety around Noss Primary traffic calming measures will be introduced on Henrietta Street and Willowbank in Wick to improve road safety around Noss Primary School.

The proposals, which have the support of Police Scotland, include introducing 3 raised tables at the school crossing patroller locations to provide additional provision of vehicle calming, especially at times the patroller is not present. Speed cushions will be placed evenly throughout the scheme to maintain an even vehicle speed and junction realignments will be carried out to create carriageway narrowing to help reduce vehicle speeds. These will also aid visibility for motorists where there is currently on street parking.

Funding of the measures will come from the Transport Scotland ‘Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes’ external grant fund.

Also on the agenda was the temporary 20mph speed limit in Thurso which has been in place since March 2021.The Temporary Traffic Regulation Order was for 18 months and as it expires this September, the Committee took the opportunity to review progress in making the 20mph speed limit in Thurso permanent.

Statutory consultation has taken place with the Emergency Services, the Community Council, Freight Transport Association, Road Haulage Association, Highland Cycle Campaign and Bus Companies and the proposals advertised in the local press.

After discussing the one outstanding objection to the proposals, the Committee gave approval for the making of a Road Traffic Regulation Order to make the 20mph limit in Thurso permanent.

Vice Chair of the Committee, Cllr Struan Mackie said: “We all take the safety of children, pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers very seriously, so I am pleased the proposals to enhance traffic calming measures were fully supported by all Members.

“At a time when we are encouraging everyone to be more active, especially when it comes to young people walking and cycling to school it is important that we support this by making sure routes are as safe as possible. The consequences of speeding in a built- up area can be devastating but I hope the new measures will encourage all road users to take greater care and consider the safety and well-being of other people.”