Highland councillors agree to introduce new 20mph zones in Inverness
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A motion calling on Highland Council to work to establish 20mph zones in all residential neighbourhoods in Inverness has been agreed by city councillors.
The proposal was put forward by SNP members Ken Gowans, Glynis Campbell-Sinclair and Ian Brown but amended by Councillors Carolyn Caddick and Duncan Macpherson at the Inverness city committee.
The three SNP councillors had wanted the committee to recognise the increased risks to pedestrians and cyclists – an apparent reference to recent controversial changes to the Highway Code – and make all existing and new housing developments safer with the introduction of 20mph zones.
They said that, amid an increased drive for active travel, with children and parents using safer routes to schools and the council policy of promoting 20-minute communities “will elevate the instances where motorised vehicles will come into conflict with those engaged in all forms of active travel.”
They wanted the 20mph speed limits within existing and all new housing developments as a move “towards making our communities better, safer and more sustainable places to live”.
The motion stated: “This committee recognises that increases in active travel, along with children and parents using safe routes to schools, and this council’s policy to develop 20-minute communities, will elevate the instances where motorised vehicles will come into conflict with those engaged in all forms of active travel.
“In addition, this committee also recognises the increased risks that may be associated with the changes to pedestrian and cyclist priorities that have been recently introduced.
“The city of Inverness area committee supports the implementation of 20mph speed limits within existing and all new housing developments towards making our communities better, safer and more sustainable places to live.”
Changes to traffic regulations in the city have traditionally been fraught with controversy and difficulty in issuing road traffic orders which prove costly in time and money despite most councillors supporting the move.
Those concerns were captured by Cllr Caddick and backed by Cllr Macpherson who tabled an amendment.
Adding to the SNP motion they added: “Furthermore the committee requests that Highland Council continue to use its best endeavours to work with Transport Scotland to ensure timeous delivery of the forthcoming national 20mph policy and that appropriate funding be provided to achieve the delivery and implementation of 20pmh limits in our communities.”
This was agreed by the committee.
