A remote crofting community appears to have succeeded in forcing the brakes on drivers racing through their village on the popular NorthCoast500 route.
A 40mph limit is now likely to be extended at each end of Elphin, Sutherland, and a 30mph limit introduced within the hamlet along with road-calming measures to improve road safety.
More than 20 people – half the village – attended a meeting this week at which residents convinced council officials that an increase in speeding posed a serious danger.
Local councillors are expected to rubber-stamp the safety measures in the near future.
The long campaigned for new limits should take effect this year and include double white lines to bar overtaking through the village.
Local resident Bill Badger, 72, who helped coordinate a petition demanding a lower speed limit, is delighted but keen to see it implemented before celebrating.
“Personally, I’m wary. We’ve been trying to sort this for the past 18 months without a single change despite many promises,” he said.
“The council has been left with no doubt about the strength of feeling in the village.”
A Highland Council spokeswoman confirmed that in the wake of the meeting the local authority was “investigating the possibility of pursuing speed reduction and traffic calming measures in Elphin including the extension of 40mph speed limits either side of the village and the introduction of new 30mph speed limits.”
She added: “The council is also proposing to improve signage.
“No guarantees have been given regarding the outcome of these investigations as members will need to be consulted.
“Permanent traffic orders, which would require to be advertised for public scrutiny, would also need to be made.”
Elphin, beside the A835, has experienced four notable collisions in 18 months. Two resulted in injury.
Residents believe traffic may have trebled since “Scotland’s answer to Route 66” was launched.
