Councillors are expected to approve plans for a 20mph limit in a Caithness town, despite some objections.
Highland Council aims to implement a number of traffic calming measures on numerous streets across Wick to encourage motorists to slow down, including gateway signage, roundels, speed repeater signs and speed indication device signs.
A meeting of the Caithness Committee will be held at Wick Town Hall tomorrow to discuss the potential for the Road Traffic Regulation Order, with members being recommended to approve the plans despite a number of controversial objections.
Councillor for Wick and East Caithness Raymond Bremner said: “I’m aware that there are mixed views in respect of the introduction of a lower speed limit in areas of the town and I’m sure a number of local folks will have fed into the consultation.
“I’m not sure just how many will object to the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit but one of my concerns will be how we police driving behaviour if an aim is to improve road and public safety.
“While many drivers will comply, the project will seem little more than a gesture if we can’t ensure that the application of the speed limit is effective. I welcome initiatives that improve the safety of our environment but it has to practically achievable.”
Four objections have been submitted to the Highland Council opposing the plans, on the grounds of giving people a false sense of security, the increase in exhaust emissions, driver confusion and a breach of human rights.
In a letter lodged by one objector, it read: “Exhaust emissions will rise due to driving in lower gears bringing an unseen however far more proven health risk which far outweighs any potential safety risk a 10mph reduction in speed limits can achieve.
“The roads in the town of Wick are in such poor condition speeds of much over 20mph are hard to achieve.”
Meanwhile, a fellow objector added: “What is the justification for this, are the streets in Wick any more dangerous than anywhere else as the speed limit is still 30mph in this country. We believe our human rights, the right to drive a car safety around wick up to 30mph as in other village, town or city in Britain, are being impeached.”
The scheme will be funded through the £50,000 capital funding allocated by the council, in addition to the £100k Carbon Clever Capital contribution.
