A major authority in Northern Scotland has launched a public consultation to reduce speed limits from 30mph to 20mph in built-up areas across the islands in a bid to make roads safer.
The initiative by Orkney Islands Council comes as part of a wider Scottish Government strategy to lower speed limits across the country.
Now the council is gathering opinions through an online survey and will host a series of drop-in events before making its final decision.
The move aims to create safer streets and more pleasant neighbourhoods while encouraging walking, cycling and wheeling across Orkney's towns and villages.
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Feedback from the consultation will be presented to councillors who will assess public appetite for the proposed changes before the scheme is officially rolled out.
It follows a move by the Scottish Government which has requested all councils evaluate their road networks to identify areas where 20mph limits could be appropriate.
The initiative is backed by Scottish Government funding available until the end of 2025, which will help councils to lower the speed limits of roads.
Results from an Orkney-wide assessment of existing 30mph zones were previously presented to the Development and Infrastructure Committee in September, laying the groundwork for the public consultation.
Councillor Hayley Green said: "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.
She noted that this significant safety difference is "a huge driver for Government support for 20mph initiatives".
Meanwhile, councillor Kris Leask called for widespread public participation in the consultation.
He added: "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.”
Leask explained: “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.”
The council has already identified 286 sections of 30mph roads as suitable for reduction to 20mph speed limits.
The evaluation was based on national criteria including minimum road lengths of 400-600m and proximity to educational sites such as schools and colleges. Roads were assessed based on their location within 100m of community facilities such as churches, sports facilities, and health centres.
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The assessment also considered the density of residential properties and retail premises, requiring more than 20 properties over a continuous stretch.
The review found 48 existing 20mph zones would remain unchanged, while 27 current 30mph zones would also stay as they are.
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The initiative by Orkney Islands Council comes as part of a wider Scottish Government strategy to lower speed limits across the country.
Now the council is gathering opinions through an online survey and will host a series of drop-in events before making its final decision.
The move aims to create safer streets and more pleasant neighbourhoods while encouraging walking, cycling and wheeling across Orkney's towns and villages.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
Feedback from the consultation will be presented to councillors who will assess public appetite for the proposed changes before the scheme is officially rolled out.
It follows a move by the Scottish Government which has requested all councils evaluate their road networks to identify areas where 20mph limits could be appropriate.
The initiative is backed by Scottish Government funding available until the end of 2025, which will help councils to lower the speed limits of roads.
Results from an Orkney-wide assessment of existing 30mph zones were previously presented to the Development and Infrastructure Committee in September, laying the groundwork for the public consultation.
Councillor Hayley Green said: "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.
She noted that this significant safety difference is "a huge driver for Government support for 20mph initiatives".
Meanwhile, councillor Kris Leask called for widespread public participation in the consultation.
He added: "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.”
Leask explained: “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.”
The council has already identified 286 sections of 30mph roads as suitable for reduction to 20mph speed limits.
The evaluation was based on national criteria including minimum road lengths of 400-600m and proximity to educational sites such as schools and colleges. Roads were assessed based on their location within 100m of community facilities such as churches, sports facilities, and health centres.
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The assessment also considered the density of residential properties and retail premises, requiring more than 20 properties over a continuous stretch.
The review found 48 existing 20mph zones would remain unchanged, while 27 current 30mph zones would also stay as they are.
Find Out More...