‘End the new 20mph zones’, argues senior Highland councillor
A senior Highland councillor has hit out at what he claims are “blanket 20mph speed limits across the Highlands” - and has called on the council to end their roll-out.
Cllr Ruraidh Stewart, who is the Conservative group leader and represents a ward covering Skye and Raasay, made the call after the council’s economy and infrastructure committee met on Thursday - where it received an update on ongoing active travel and road safety works,
Speaking later, Cllr Stewart branded an ongoing pilot which rolled out reduced 20mph limits in parts of many Highland communities as a “shocking waste of public funds”. He then called on the council to let temporary road traffic orders, which introduced the various 20mph limits, expire when they reach their end dates later this year.
He claimed the zones had limited support among the public, and cited figures which he claimed were taken from Highland Council’s own data: "Only 17 per cent of surveyed residents back this limit, with a mere 15 per cent seeing any benefit for them or their community.
He did not supply other figures from the survey highlighting what the other 83 per cent of respondents’ views were - including those with no strong view and those that were opposed.
Cllr Stewart further claimed: “The blanket speed limit has resulted in an insignificant 1.7mph reduction in speed - hardly a success. The council promised to consult the public at the end of the [pilot] period and yet has taken no notice of the results of this survey.
“This is shameful and a prime example of this council saying one thing and doing the opposite. This nonsense has been overwhelmingly rejected by the people of Highland, whom this council purports to serve"
He continued: "The squandering of taxpayers' hard-earned money and our diligent staff's time on this ineffective scheme is inexcusable. These resources should have been directed towards our community's actual priorities like addressing the dangerous potholes that compromise the safety of our roads, instead of being wasted on ineffective stickers that are so shoddy they already peeling off"
Earlier in the week, the council announced a plan to invest £2bn in the region’s roads, schools and other infrastructure over the next 20 years
Cllr Stewart continued: "Despite claims of being a 'listening council,' the SNP/Independent administration has consistently ignored widespread public opposition to this initiative
“The public has spoken, and the message is clear. It's time to end this wasteful and ineffective project before any more money is wasted. The council must redirect its efforts and funds towards initiatives that truly enhance the safety and well-being of our Highland communities."
Responding to Cllr Stewart’s comments, Cllr Ken Gowans, the chairman of Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure committee said: "This is a trial as most people understand and Cllr Stewart is aware of this. I agreed to introduce the trial, which is fully funded, in the interests of road safety, and widely welcomed within housing developments and built-up areas.
“Once the trial concludes some 20mph limits will revert and some while others will remain, plus we have also had a good number of people asking for more to be added too.
"A very robust consultation has been undertaken to gather as many views as possible especially targeting local residents who, after all, know their areas best.
“Cllr Stewart is entitled to his views, but it is not reflected in the responses we have received so far. "
A spokesperson for Highland Council said: “We will be carrying out community council surveys followed by an online public consultation in 2024 which will form part of the overall evaluation report that will go to Council meeting in late 2024 or early 2025.
“A final decision will be made on which streets should be retained at 20mph or revert back to 30mph.”
