20 Mile An Hour Speed Limit for Streets In Wick
22nd February 2018
The safety of children walking and cycling to and from school and traffic calming measures in Wick were under the spotlight at yesterdays meeting of the Caithness Committee (Wednesday 21 February 2018).
Local Councillors have given the go-ahead for proposals to introduce a 20mph speed limit and traffic calming measures across Wick designed to get motorists to slow down when driving around the town.
The scheme will include introducing gateway signage, roundels, 20mph repeater signs and Speed Indication Devices.
Money will come from the £50,000 per year of capital funding allocated by the Council to implementation 20mph speed limit schemes across the Highlands in addition to the £100k Carbon Clever Capital contribution.
Chair of the Caithness Committee Councillor Donnie Mackay said: "Every 11 minutes someone in Scotland is stopped for speeding. We take the safety of children, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers very seriously which is why I'm pleased to see plans to put in place this 20mph speed limit across the town moving forward."
Wick Councillor and Caithness Civic Leader, Cllr Willie Mackay added: "The consequences of speeding in a built- up area can be devastating. The impact sustained by a child struck by a vehicle at 20mph is serious enough, but at 30mph the results could prove fatal. I am sure the new lower speed limit will encourage all road users to take greater care and consider other people."
All 20mph speed limit schemes require to be supported by formal Road Traffic Regulation Orders. Now the members have approved the proposals, officers will consult with communities with the aim to implement the schemes during 2018/19. If the proposals approved attract any relevant objections a further report will be back to Committee for members to discuss.
The timing of the decision made by councillors today is timely as the Council is actively supporting the current Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland media campaign which promotes the clear message to all road users; In Town, Slow Down.
Members of the Committee were advised that the Council's Road Safety team will continue their work to improve the safety of all road users in Caithness through education, raising public awareness, improving road layouts and partnership working with the Safer Routes to School Programme
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
On 27 November 2024 the Community and Places committee will consider a report on play parks in Highland. 94 play parks across Highland including 26 in Caithness are scheduled to close over 5 years.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
On Thursday the 21 November 2024, the Education Committee will be presented with an Education Trust Fund report that asks Members to approve the formation of an Education Trust Fund Sub Committee. There are significant funds held by The Highland Council in trust for the educational benefit within different communities.
At the Economy and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday 14 November 2024 councillors adopted an ambitious action plan to tackle biodiversity loss and support a nature-positive Highland. The Council's Ecology Strategy and Action Plan Strategy sets out and defines a series of key actions and activities that will assist the Council to deliver positive action to tackle biodiversity loss and start to address the ecological emergency for the benefit of its environment, economy, and communities.
The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have approved the rural Housing Supplementary Guidance which will now be used to inform all planning advice and decisions. Chair of the Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "Following the decision by members today, I am pleased that we now have a positive, clear and consistent basis for considering and determining rural housing planning applications across the whole of the Highland Council area.
New guidance to support schools and organisations working with children and young people to develop comprehensive anti-bullying policies and improve behaviour and relationships has been published. ‘Respect for all' includes updates for staff on how to deal with specific incidents of bullying, including online bullying.
The Vice Chair of the Caithness Committee, Councillor Struan Mackie has expressed his delight at the number of worthwhile local projects that have benefitted from Ward Discretionary Funding in this financial year. All Council Wards receive a discretionary budget, and it is for Ward Councillors to consider what they wish to commit funds to, in line with Highland Council objectives and outcomes.
The Caithness Committee have agreed to adopt the modified Core Path Plans for Caithness. At their meeting yesterday members had the opportunity to discuss a report that summarised the review of The Highland Council Core Paths Plan in Caithness.
On Thursday 14 November 2024, Members of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee will be presented with a new Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2024-2030 and asked to note and agree recommendations which include adopting the new Sustainable Tourism Strategy. Also an agreement to amend the strategy to accommodate consultation feedback on the Visitor Levy Scheme.
