The Highland Cycle campaign has long been a supporter of 20mph speed limits for built up areas in the Highlands. The Highland Council has recently begun a trial of 20mph areas and HCC will be campaigning for this. We want to see permanent 20mph zones that are supported with traffic calming measures and enforcement. Here we take a look at the road to 20mph.
A Timeline
1991 | First 20mph zones are introduced in the UK |
2005 | The Highland Council begins roll out of part-time 20mph zones outside all primary and secondary schools in Highland. |
2009 | Inverness city centre 20mph zone introduced, this was extended in 2017 |
2012 | Groups representing Highland cyclists (including HCC) call for measures that bring about a cycle culture – including 20mph zones |
2015 | The Highland Cycle Campaign calls for a 20mph speed limit to be introduced in all residential streets in Inverness. |
2018 | The RESTRICTED ROADS (20 MPH SPEED LIMIT) (SCOTLAND) BILL is introduced at the Scottish Parliament by Green MSP Mark Ruskell. The bill is not passed. |
2020 | The Welsh Government task force on 20mph publishes its report on 20mph on restricted roads – Senedd Cymru votes to support this. Legislation is approved in 2022, with the limits coming into effect in 2023. |
2021 | The ‘Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party Shared Policy Programme’ includes the commitment that all appropriate roads in built up areas will have a safer speed limit of 20mph by 2025. |
2022 | The Highland Councils Economy and Infrastructure committee is presented with the Highland 20mph programme. Highland council agrees to trial the temporary 20mph limits, for which it will receive funding from Transport Scotland. |
2023 | Highland Council starts roll out of 20mph limits (lines and signs) in communities across the Highlands. The Highland wide 20mph scheme went live on Monday 31 July 2023, the scheme uses one Council wide Temporary Road Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) which lasts for a period of 18 months. Permanent Road Traffic Regulation Orders will then be required to move the appropriate roads to a permanent 20mph speed limit. |
What Next?
In 2024 there will be public consultation and a consultation with community councils on the 20mph limits. At the end of 2024 (or early 2025) an evaluation report will go to the full council. By mid 2025 A final decision will be made on which streets should be retained at 20mph or revert back to 30mph. The remaining six months of the trial will be used to implement any permanent changes.
Get Involved
The Highland Cycle Campaign is member led – if you’d like to get involved with the campaign team for 20mph zones or any of our other campaigns, get in touch.