The speed limit in residential areas of Inverness should be restricted to 20mph, a city councillor said yesterday.
New Inverness West councillor Alasdair Christie said it was too dangerous for vehicles to travel at 30mph in areas where children play.
Speaking at his first Inverness city committee meeting, Mr Christie asked council roads officials to investigate the implications of imposing a 20mph throughout the Highland capital.
Outside the meeting, he said there were roads in his ward where he felt a 30mph limit was too dangerous.
“There are children coming out of their houses and have just one thing on their minds, and they will run right across the road,” he said.
“We all know that, if hit, they have a better chance of survival if the car is travelling at 20mph, rather than 30mph.”
Mr Christie added that he thought many residents would welcome such a move.
Inverness Ness-side councillor David Henderson said Mr Christie’s proposals were radical and deserved further consideration.
And Inverness Provost Jimmy Gray added that he had sympathy with the idea and said residents of the Drakies area were supportive of reducing speed the limits there.
Mr Christie made his request as councillors debated similar restrictions being proposed for the city centre.
Integrated transport manager Cameron Kemp told the Inverness city committee that the reduced limit would make the area safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
Councillors agreed to start consultations with authorities and emergency services before publicly advertising their proposals.
The limits could be in place within six months.
Streets involved are Union Street, Drummond Street, Barn Taylor’s Street, Church Street, Post Office Avenue, Fraser Street, Queensgate and Ness Walk.
The restrictions will be funded through the Streetscape project.
Referring to congestion in the city centre, Thomas Prag, who represents Inverness South, said: “It is ironic that we are putting speed limits on streets where you would be hard pushed to reach 20mph. I hope we do not end up putting more signs up and cluttering up the beautiful streetscape.”