Transport / Consultation on proposal which could see speed limits reduced to 50mph
PEOPLE in Shetland will get the chance to have their say on a proposal to reduce the national speed limit on single carriageway roads – effectively meaning all local roads currently at 60mph would drop to 50.
Under the Transport Scotland proposal as it stands drivers would have to go at 50mph through long stretches of Shetland road with good visibility instead of the current 60mph – the Tingwall straight, for example.
However it is early days in the process and no decisions have been made, with nationwide consultation set to take place.
An event is taking place at the museum in Lerwick on 5 February between 3pm and 7pm as part a wider round of consultation from Transport Scotland.
There is also a proposal to increase speed limits for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes on single carriageways to from 40mph to 50mph, and on dual carriageways from 50 to 60.
Transport Scotland said when goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes travel significantly slower than other traffic, it can lead to frustration for other drivers – often resulting in unsafe manoeuvres.
The government agency said the National Speed Management Review seeks to “ensure speed limits in Scotland are appropriate and contribute to reducing injury and death on our roads”.
Single carriageways are roads where there is no barrier or land between lanes, like how dual carriageways are – with all roads in Shetland falling under this category.
An online consultation has been open since November, with more than 8,700 responses submitted so far.
Shetland Islands Council’s roads manager Neil Hutcheson said the local authority is being consulted on the proposals.
But he said there are some differences between roads in Shetland and on the mainland.
“Compared to most roads south we’ve got good visibility,” Hutcheson said.
He added a lot of local roads have been created in accordance with specific design guidance, which improves safety.
Hutcheson said therefore it could be more “hazardous” to drive at 60mph on some roads on the mainland compared to in Shetland.
“We’ll be feeding that back when we fill in our consultation return,” he added.
The consultation response stands to come before councillors first before being submitted.
Chair of the SIC’s environment and transport committee Moraig Lyall said she had no strong views on the matter but added that it would be interesting to see the outcome of the consultation.
“On two recent trips to Norway where the existing speed limit is 50mph I noticed how quickly I adjusted to driving at that reduced speed, how much more relaxed I felt when driving and how there was more time for decision making as you drove,” the Shetland Central councillor said.
“Eliminating all accidents while a laudable aim is unlikely to be possible as all drivers can be distracted, take unwell while some ignore the legal limits.
“As we’ve seen this last week with all the snow, driving to the conditions an important factor.
“Even when the speed limit is 60mph that doesn’t mean it is always appropriate to drive at that speed.”
One councillor who has regularly spoken up about reducing speed limits in residential areas is Shetland South’s Alex Armitage.
The Green elected member however said most of the main roads in rural, non-residential parts of Shetland are “wide, well designed and well maintained” – meaning that in his view a general speed limit of 60mph is “appropriate”
“When setting speed limits, a balance needs to be struck between maximising safety on the one hand, and reducing journey times on the other,” Armitage added.
“I think 60mph on Shetland’s main roads is about right. In more residential areas, safety issues for other road users such as pedestrians and cyclists becomes relevant.
“Having seen many children and young people becoming seriously injured as a result of road traffic collisions in my medical career, I am a passionate advocate for reducing road danger.
“There is strong evidence from RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) that we should reduce speed limits in residential areas and I think that this should be followed.
“Most Shetlanders are considerate, responsible drivers and obey speed limits; compliance will increase if radar speed signs – which measure the speeds of approaching vehicles and display feedback to drivers – are installed.
“In my view we should keep Shetland’s general speed limit at 60mph and focus our speed limit reduction efforts in residential areas, where we have the greatest potential to reduce harm.”
Meanwhile transport secretary Fiona Hyslop said road safety is a priority for the Scottish Government.
“We remain absolutely committed to working towards our ambitious goal of making Scotland’s roads the safest in the world by 2030,” she said.
“We have already had a huge response to the online consultation, and these events will enable people to learn more about the proposed changes.
“It’s also really important that we hear views from the public and stakeholders.
“Evidence from the National Speed Management Review indicates that revising speed limits could lead to a significant reduction in the number of injury collisions on our roads while maintaining journey times and enhancing journey time reliability.”
Meanwhile local plans to introduce possible 20mph limits in built up areas in Lerwick and Scalloway are continuing.
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