Speeding purge in Inverness is imminent; findings 'vindicate concerns' says councillor
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The Milton of Leys distributor road was the focus of the council and police in the past few months, in anticipation of an expected surge in traffic with the forthcoming opening of the West Link. It was also prompted by local concerns about speeding, accidents and lorry use.
Almost a quarter of motorists exceeded 35mph and some reached higher vehicle speeds.
While residents have reported countless shunts on the route in recent years, the council has found evidence of just five “damage only” and one “slight injury” accident on the route in three years.
The council identified that 15 per cent is “through traffic” while “very little use is made of the route by HGV traffic”. It is working with the police to identify measures to address the speeding and to improve safety.
City councillor Ken Gowans, who highlighted the emerging danger of a road used as a “rat run” to avoid the Inshes roundabout, said: “This vindicates my concerns and those of the wider community.
“Once the West Link is open there’ll clearly be a significant increase of traffic which will exponentially increase risks for all in the community,” he said.
New road signs and markings will be introduced in the coming weeks to help reinforce the 30mph speed limit and highlight pedestrian crossings. There will also be random speed checks.
Allan Henderson, chairman of the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee, was “surprised and dismayed” by the extent of speeding.
He said: “This is not acceptable and I hope our traffic calming measures and proposed actions with Police Scotland result in a reduction in speed and a safer area.”
The A82 in Inverness will be the subject of a separate review in the coming months, prompted by another city councillor’s call for additional pedestrian crossings.
Inverness West member Bill Boyd, who recently highlighted the risk to pedestrians in Tomnahurich Street and organised a meeting with transport and council officials, was delighted to hear of the wider assessment of the A82 within Inverness.
“The traffic is usually heavy, especially at peak periods such as travel to school times,” he said. “Often the speed is higher than it should be and it’s not uncommon for there to be inappropriate parking. This review is more than I was seeking, so it’s great.”
Inverness High School, Central Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary are all nearby, meaning that during term time there is a high number of children using the road.
Roads agency Transport Scotland’s review is expected to be published next March.
