20mph scheme in Highlands - final traffic order approved

30th May 2025

Members of The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee (Thursday 29 May) approved the final step to formalise all 20mph schemes in the Highlands and a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) will now be actioned.

All the roads included in the final TRO follow the outcome of technical assessments, discussions with Members, Community Councils and the public.

Chair of the Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "In the summer of 2022 the Council agreed to take on the opportunity provided by Transport Scotland for the early adoption of 20 mph speed limits in our Council area.

"This has been a huge piece of work so firstly I want to thank many members of the public, community groups and my fellow councillors, for getting involved and providing feedback throughout the process. I'd also like to thank our small but very dedicated Road Safety Team for all their hard work. To do a roll out on this scale is unprecedented. This is a significant milestone for road safety and another big step in our ambition to reduce accidents on our roads."

By being an early adopter, Highland Council havs fast tracked the implementation of 20mph speeds limits and worked closely with Transport Scotland to look at the process and how it can be refined for the wider roll out that is currently happening across Scotland

In the report presented to the committee there was detailed information on the benefits of the programme along with the information provided to all objectors which addresses some of the perceptions around 20mph speed limits.

Pre and post 20 mph implementation speed counts have been taken at over 250 locations in Highland. The results have been available to view on the dedicated Council 20mph webpages throughout the project.

Councillor Gowans added: “The information gathered since we introduced 20mph across our towns, villages and settlements shows an encouraging reduction in collisions compared to those statistics before the 20mph speed limit was introduced. This is really very positive news for communities across Highland. Our 20mph scheme will improve road safety through simplifying speed limits for drivers, reducing perceptions of road danger, making it safer for people to walk and wheel, and create more pleasant towns, villages and neighbourhoods by providing a more calm environment for all road users. “

As The Highland Council was selected by The Scottish Government to pilot the roll-out of 20mph schemes, all costs for the project are being met by Transport Scotland.

Following the decision a roll out of roundels and markings will be done with a contract in place already for work to be undertaken in Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Caithness and Sutherland. Other areas will follow.

Details of the TRO can be found by visiting - https://www.highland.gov.uk/20mph