Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, having recently met (17/02/15) with the Transport Minister over the proposed speed limit reduction between Cluanie Inn and Kintail, and between Invergarry and The Viewpoint on the A87, is delighted to update that after his question to the Minister in Parliament yesterday, he has been informed that the Minister will not be going ahead with the speed reduction proposals at either of the sites.

Dave commenting, “I am delighted that the Transport Minister has decided not to go ahead with the proposed plans to reduce the speed limit west of the Cluanie Inn or between Invergarry and the viewpoint”.

Mr Thompson also said, “Some concern had been raised by a number of constituents over any proposed speed limit reductions on sections of the A87.

I recently made these concerns known to the Transport Minister and he said he would give the issue of speed reduction on the A87 more consideration.

Dave went on, “I am delighted to report that the Transport Minister has listened to the evidence on road safety and concluded that the speed reduction measures will not be required.

I would like to thank the Minister for listening to the concerns of my constituents and for coming to what I consider to be the right decision and one I am sure will be widely supported by A87 road users”.

Note:

The Parliamentary question and the response this morning is noted below:

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in respect of the speed limit review.

(S4W-24759)

Mr Derek Mackay MSP:

Transport Scotland has been progressing with the speed limit reductions identified in the Speed Limit Review since it was published in late 2012. Progress has been good and 9 of the orders are complete and in place. Consultation on others has been progressing and we welcome the opportunity this has given local communities to comment on the proposals.

Transport Scotland has recently updated the background information for the Speed Limit Review, recognising the time that has passed and the benefits of making decisions on the basis of the most current road safety performance data. This update supports the continued delivery of the majority of the remaining speed reductions. Consultation on these will continue. Others will be taken away for further consideration and evidence gathering before proposals are finalised.

A small number (5 from the original 44 proposed reductions) are not supported by the updated traffic and accident information. These include both of the proposed speed limit reductions on the A87, one on the A84 and a further two on the A95. Work on these will end and the speed limit on these will remain as it currently is.

Road Safety is of paramount importance and the proposed speed limit reductions are part of our wider programme of measures to ensure that casualty numbers continue to fall across the country.

The “setting local speed limits” guidance which framed the original publication of the speed limit review encourages updates to the findings where new information becomes available. The recent update to the background information reflects this and supports our continued ability to make evidence based decisions.

Consultation is central to the consideration of any speed limit order and we will continue to engage with communities in promoting the orders recommended by the speed limit review.

The 5 Orders we are intent on not progressing are:

• ·A87 Invergarry to Viewpoint ·
• A87 Cluanie Inn to Kintail Lodge
• A84 Buchany to Drumvaich
• A95 Craigellachie
• A95 Ballindalloch