Focus on 'education and enforcement' of drivers on controversial NC500 tourist route, says police chief
Policing the controversial North Coast 500 (NC500) tourist route is a priority, the north’s police chief has said.
North Highland area commander Chief Inspector Calum Smith said officers were focusing on the “education and enforcement” of drivers using the route.
Speaking at a meeting of Sutherland County Committee in Drummuie, Golspie, last week, the chief inspector also acknowledged there were concerns about rallies using the 516-mile NC500, much of which is single-track and in Sutherland.
Residents near the NC500 have long complained about drivers speeding along the route, driving in convoy, and failing to stop at laybys to allow overtaking, among other issues.
More recently, there have also been concerns about rally organisers choosing the route for their events.
An Austrian organisation, the Back Road Club, announced in December that it was planning a rally on the route in early June with around 130-140 cars expected.
This prompted Laid residents to write to political leaders asking for “urgent” help and support and saying that residents were now so desperate they wanted to block the road.
Chief Inspector Smith told councillors at the February 17 meeting: “Our road policing officers continue to have priority taskings. The NC500 route as a whole and the A836 (Tain to John O’Groats via Lairg), those are areas that have been given priority taskings.
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“There is a very definite focus on the road system in Sutherland, seeking to be present and prosecute when the need is there, and also to educate where possible beyond that, particularly now as we move into spring.”
He continued: “We have already formulated plans for the NC500. My colleague in road policing, Inspector Donnie Mackinnon, who came to the last ward business meeting, has a focus on that area, a focus on education and enforcement. We have had some concerns raised about car rallies, so that is very much on our radar and where we can intervene, we are intervening.”
