Highland Council is consulting for five weeks on making the 20mph speed limit permanent across the region, inviting community feedback.
If you’ve got thoughts or concerns, you need to get them in writing by February 10, 2025. You can shoot an email to 20mph@highland.gov.uk or send a letter to the Road Safety Team in Inverness.
You can check out maps online that show where these speed limits are in place, and you can also find the full Traffic Regulation Order at local service points. The good news is that the government is covering all the costs for this rollout, including surveys to see how well it’s working.
Transport Scotland has even extended the temporary order until July 2025, and there’s a meeting planned for May where councillors will decide on making it permanent.
The idea behind the 20mph limit is to make streets safer, especially for pedestrians. Studies show that lower speeds can really help reduce fatal accidents. But not everyone is on board; some folks think it’s a waste of money and that it hasn’t really slowed down traffic as much as expected.
Councillor Ken Gowans, who heads the economy and infrastructure committee, emphasized the importance of this consultation. He believes that safer streets encourage more walking and cycling, which is better for everyone’s health and the environment.
So, if you have an opinion on this, now’s your chance to make it heard!
