North MSP says Highland Council plans for 20mph speed limits will 'save lives and make streets safer'

PLANS by Highland Council to introduce 20mph speed limits in over 100 areas, including Sutherland, will "save lives and make streets safer," according to a north MSP.

Ariane Burgess commended the local authority in the Scottish Parliament and said the initiative should be rolled out to other areas of the country. She highlighted the progress being made and would like to see the Scottish Government provide more support for other councils to implement 20mph speed limits in built up areas.

She said about 140 people were killed on Scotland’s roads in 2021, with a further 1,615 suffering serious injury. The Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands stressed that a Glasgow Centre for Population Health study found that road casualties could be reduced by over 10 per cent – saving emergency services £40million a year – by introducing 20mph speed limits. Wales is to introduce a national 20mph speed limit in September this year.

Ms Burgess said: "The progress being made on this by Highland Council should be commended. It will be felt for generations, as lives are saved and the streets where we live, work and play are transformed into safer, more liveable spaces.

"In our agreement with the Scottish Government we pledged to make all appropriate roads in built up areas 20mph by 2025, and every Scottish council is now finalising plans to implement that."

She added: "The Highlands has become the first council to see the roll-out happen across their entire area. 20 mph speed limits are the simplest, quickest and cheapest way to reduce casualties and save lives. I’m delighted that with Scottish Greens in government we’re making it a reality."

As previously reported 16 Sutherland areas, including Bettyhill, Durness, Helmsdale, Portskerra and Tongue have been approved by Transport Scotland for the reduced speed limit

In total, over 100 sites in the Highlands will be part of the initiative.

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