Highland Council has made its stance clear on the National Speed Limit Review currently under consultation by Transport Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
The council does not support the proposed reduction of the national speed limit on single carriageway roads from 60mph to 50mph.
Two options have been put forward in the review: to leave speed limits unchanged or to reduce the speed limit for cars on single carriageways while increasing it for heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes.
Under the proposed changes, HGVs would see their speed limit increase from 40mph to 50mph on single carriageways and from 50mph to 60mph on dual carriageways.
Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Economy and Infrastructure Committee, emphasised that the council welcomed the opportunity to respond but firmly recommended no change to the current national speed limit for single carriageway roads.
He stated that while the council supports an increase in speed limits for HGVs, they believe reducing the general speed limit to 50mph could negatively impact journey times and rural communities.
Given the vast road network and geographical spread of the Highland region, councillors feel the change could significantly disrupt daily travel and local businesses.
The committee also expressed concern over how such changes could influence driver behaviour, particularly in terms of frustration and risky overtaking manoeuvres.
They pointed out that inappropriate speed limits often lead to non-compliance, which could create additional road safety concerns.
There are also fears about the economic implications, particularly for businesses reliant on time-sensitive deliveries and logistics.
The consultation states that journey times would be maintained under the proposed changes, but the council has requested access to the analysis used to make this claim, particularly for rural areas.
Councillor Gowans also highlighted the impact that any changes to speed limits would have on policing resources and stressed the need for a national media campaign to ensure public awareness and compliance.
As part of the consultation process, Transport Scotland has hosted several drop-in events across the Highlands, with the final session scheduled for 20 February in Portree Community Centre.
The council’s response reflects the concerns of many residents and businesses in the region who rely on efficient travel across long distances.
While the debate over speed limits continues, Highland Council remains firm in its stance that the current 60mph limit should remain unchanged.
