Response to National Speed Limit Review - Committee does not support the reduction to 50mph

14th February 2025

Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have agreed the council’s response to the National Speed Limit Review Transport Scotland is currently running on behalf of the Scottish Government. The review seeks views on proposed changes to speed limits in Scotland. In their response they make it clear that they do not support a reduction to 50mph.

Two options have been proposed in the consultation documentation namely, no change to existing speed limits or to reduce the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60 mph to 50 mph and increase the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) over 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight from 40 mph to 50 mph on single carriageways and from 50 mph to 60 mph on dual carriageways.

Committee Chair, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "We welcomed this opportunity to discuss and agree our position with regards to this consultation. In our response we do not support a reduction to 50mph. We are recommending no change to the existing national speed limit on 60mph single-carriageway roads and we support the proposal to increase speed limits for goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 tonnes on single carriageways from 40mph to 50mph and dual carriageways from 50mph to 60mph."

“Considering the significant road network and the geographic spread of the Highland Council Area, we felt that these proposals to reduce the national speed limit could have a significant impact on the daily lives of people in terms of journey time. We note from the consultation covering letter that prior to the consultation issue analysis from the review indicates that these speed limit changes maintain journey times and enhance journey time reliability. We would welcome sight of this analysis as it is particularly pertinent to the Highland Region, particular interest would be any analysis undertaken for rural areas.”

Taking into account the geographical nature of the Highland Council Area, the key points outlined in Highland Councils response for recommending no change to the existing national speed limit on 60mph single-carriageway roads are:-

• Considering the significant length of national speed limit road network and remoteness of the Highland Council Area it is felt that a change in speed limit, particularly on our A class single carriageway roads, could have a significant impact on our rural communities. In particular in relation to Driver Behaviour and Local Businesses/Highland Economy.

• In terms of driver behaviour, increased frustration or impatience could potentially lead to more aggressive driving or risky overtaking manoeuvres. Setting inappropriate speed limits can lead to drivers ignoring them which has consequences in terms of wider speed compliance.

• In economic terms, in particular relating of journey times, there is concern re the impact a reduced speed limit will have on local businesses e.g., businesses in time-sensitive sectors, may face challenges with supply chain logistics and increased operational costs. The consultation states journey times would be maintained, evidence of this has been requested in the consultation response for rural areas.

Councillor Gowans added: “We are also highlighting in our response that any changes in speed limit would have an impact on policing resources and would need to be supported by a national media campaign.”

As part of the current consultation Transport Scotland held a drop-in event on 30 January in Ullapool and another at the WASPS Creative Academy in Inverness on 5 February. A further Highland session will take place in Portree Community Centre from 3pm - 7pm on Thursday 20 February.