Frustration over Ardgay/Bonar Bridge speed limit delay

Highland Council is being accused of ‘dragging its feet’ over repeated calls for a lower speed limit to be imposed on a straight stretch of road between two Sutherland villages.

Bonar Bridge resident Michael Baird has now written directly to the council’s chief executive Donna Manson in a bid to speed up action over the Bonar Bridge to Ardgay straight, which he describes as like a ‘race track’ and where a fatal accident occurred two years ago.

Local people want the speed limit on the mile-long stretch of the A836 reduced from 60mph to 30mph and are particularly concerned because the Kyle of Sutherland Hub, frequented by young people, is located on that stretch of road.

Mr Baird asks Ms Manson: “When will Highland Council get this problem resolved? It has been going on for years now. Do we have to wait until a youngster is knocked down or seriously injured at the hub before something happens? I walk over that road continually and it is used as a race track with cars speeding at up to 70mph hour.

Both Creich Community Council and Ardgay and District Community Council back the lowering of the speed limit.

Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant has previously written to Donna Manson about the issue and Sutherland MP Jamie Stone also wrote on July 7 requesting an update.

However, speaking at the last meeting of Creich Community Council, North, West and Central Sutherland Councillor Kirsteen Currie said that the survey by Highland Council had indicated that average speeds on the Bonar Bridge/Ardgay straight were below the 60mph limit.

Highland Council has previously confirmed that it is reviewing the current speed restriction on the road in question.

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