Hopes of 30mph speed limit between Bonar Bridge and Ardgay dashed as councillors agree to opt for 50mph restriction

Months of wrangling over the speed limit between two Sutherland villages appear to have come to an end with a decision finally taken today.

Sutherland councillors have agreed to plump for a 50mph speed restriction on the mile-long straight of the A836 between Bonar Bridge and Ardgay – the current restriction is 60mph.

In addition it has been agreed the 30mph limit running through Bonar Bridge should be extended westwards by 270m.

It is not the outcome residents in the two communities had originally hoped for - they have long been lobbying for a blanket reduction of the speed limit to 30mph between the two villages.

There were claims that the stretch of road was being used as a 'race track' with some vehicles reaching estimated speeds of 70mph.

However roads officials pointed out that a reduction to 30mph was not supported by a detailed analysis of the route and its usage. Surveys showed that the average speed of vehicles using the route was 49mph westbound and 50mph eastbound.

Officials advised some 18 months ago that the way forward would be to extend the 30mph zone at Bonar Bridge westwards by 270m and impose a 50mph zone thereafter.

But councillors held out for a lower restriction, asking councillors look into the possibility of a "compromise" 40mph speed limit.

The issue was raised again at a meeting of Sutherland County Committee today when a report was presented by area roads operations manager Josie Sutherland.

Ms Sutherland said that in order to enforce the speed limit to 40mph, 12 "build-outs" would be required along the straight, costing some £192.000. She said there was no budget for such traffic calming measures.

Ms Sutherland said her original recommendation for a short 30mph extension and a 50mph limit thereafter, still stood.

She pointed out that, were this to to ahead, a Traffic Regulation Order would be required followed by a legal process involving consultation with statutory consultees and the public.

Any representations made would be brought back to the county committee.

North, West and Central Sutherland councillor Michael Baird told the meeting: "I have run this through the community councils and Creich Community Council would definitely want to get this (new speed limit) up and running as soon as possible.

Committee chairman Cllr Richard Gale said: "I am keen to move this on and get something in place. We have been talking about this for 18 months and it is time to move it forwards. We can see what kind of impact this reduction has."

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