Orkney Islands Council is asking residents for their thoughts on reducing 30mph speed limits inbuilt-up areas around the county to 20mph.
The Council has published an online survey and will also run a series of drop in events to gather folks’ views.
Feedback will be presented to Councillors who are keen to hear from the public their appetite for this change, before further consideration of and consultation on the option.
This follows the Scottish Government asking all Councils to assess their roads network for areas where a 20mph speed limit might be appropriate.
The government’s national strategy seeks to introduce 20mph speed limits in built up areas across the country, simplifying speed limits for drivers. It seeks to reduce perceptions of road danger, encourage people to walk, wheel and cycle, and create more pleasant streets and neighbourhoods by providing a more equitable balance between different road users.
Funding is available, up until the end of 2025, from the Scottish Government to help Councils engage with their communities and cover the costs of implementing any changes including new speed limit signs.
The results of an Orkney-wide assessment of existing 30mph areas were presented to Councillors at the Development and Infrastructure Committee in September.
Now, says Corporate Director of Neighbourhood Service and Infrastructure Hayley Green, the Council is asking the Orkney public what they think.
“We reported the results of our assessment to the Development and Infrastructure Committee in September and that included detailed maps showing the roads which meet the criteria set by Scottish Government for a drop in speed limit from 30mph to 20mph.
“Quite rightly, Councillors agreed the next steps should be asking the Orkney public what they feel about 20mph limits throughout our towns and villages.
“Ultimately, we know that lower speed limits can help reduce the likelihood of serious accidents, and drastically reduce the severity of injuries.
“Statistics show if you hit a pedestrian at 30mph, they’re seven times more likely to be killed than if you’d been travelling at 20mph, and this is of course a huge driver for government support for 20mph initiatives.
“However, Councillors are keen to hear folks’ views before any further work is done on the possibility of introducing them here in Orkney.
Chair of the Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Kris Leask, said: “We’d like as many people as possible to let us know what they think, either through the online survey or by coming along to a drop- in session near you.
“It’s important to note this engagement is matched to the scope of the funding, which is targeted at reducing existing 30mph areas to 20mph, to help reduce the severity of accidents particularly involving pedestrians and cyclists including youngsters.
“So, we’re not looking for feedback on other speed limits as part of this particular exercise.
“What we are looking at is to gauge the level of support in the community for that small reduction in speed from 30mph to 20mph in our towns and villages, while there is funding to facilitate it.
“We’re also not tied to an ‘all or nothing’ blanket approach for Orkney– so if there is widespread support in one area or specific road and not another, this will be fed back to Councillors on the Committee to consider case by case.
Ms Green added: “Anyone with concerns or requests that are outwith this 20mph engagement can, as always, contact the team on roads.support@orkney.gov.uk with the details – we're always happy to consider suggestions for improving road safety in Orkney.”
Feedback from the 20mph engagement events and survey will be reported back to Councillors at a future committee to consider whether to progress with the project and commence the statutory consultation process.
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