USE: IMMEDIATE                                                                 ISSUED: Friday 17^th June 2005

A 20mph part-time speed limit goes into operation next week from Monday 20^th June, 2005 at Ardgour, Fort William R.C., Inverlochy, Lady Lovat, and Lochaline Primary Schools in Lochaber.

With the help of £2.157M funding from the Scottish Executive, The Highland Council aims to get the message across that slowing down near schools saves lives and that reducing the speed limit to 20 mph outside schools significantly improves the safety of children walking or cycling to school.

Arisaig Primary school was the first to receive a 20mph part time speed limit in Lochaber area earlier this year, and these additions bring the total number of schools benefiting from part time speed limits in Lochaber to six at present. These schools are part of an ongoing programme for the next four years, which will see all schools in the Highlands with 20mph speed limits.

Highland Council Vice Convener Cllr Michael Foxley said: "Cars must slow down near schools and school children because speed kills and maims easily."

Roads outside schools can be notoriously dangerous places for children travelling to and from the classroom. Injury accidents have fallen by 60%, child pedestrian accidents by 70% and child cyclist accidents by 48% where these 20mph designated measures are put in place.

Drivers travelling near the Lochaber Primaries should be aware that the 20mph part time speed limit applies on school days, Mondays to Fridays as follows:

Ardgour Primary - 0830 to 0905; 1230 to 1330; 1430 to 1445; and 1515 to 1530.

Fort William R.C. Primary - 0840 to 0905; 1215 to 1335; and 1445 to 1530.

Lochaline Primary - 0900 to 0920; 1230 to 1315; and 1430 to 1530.

Inverlochy Primary - 0840 to 0905; 1230 to 1335; and 1500 to 1530.

Lady Lovat Primary- 0830 to 0915; 1045 to 1105; 1230 to 1335; 1445 to 1500; 1515 to 1535 and in addition on Wednesdays 11.00  to 11.30.

With research showing that 20 mph speed limits are an effective vehicle for reducing the number of accidents and severity of casualties on our roads, it is clear to see why all drivers including parents must abide by them. The Highland Council hopes that the new 20 mph signs will raise awareness of the 20 mph speed limit outside Lochaber’s schools and encourage drivers to slow down.

Area Education Manager, Rosemary Bridge said: "I am delighted that we now have a 20mph zone around six of our school entrances. I am certain that the initiative will make a great difference to the safety of our pupils. I would urge all drivers to be vigilant in observing these new speed limits."

Murdo MacLeod, Highland Council’s Traffic Technician said: "Since implementing the part time 20mph zones around Highland primary schools we have had positive feedback from the public and school staff that the signs are making a difference. However, we cannot be complacent and I would urge those drivers who are still ignoring the signs to give more consideration to the speed limit which is only in operation part time when pupils are coming to and from school." 

For further information please contact: Murdo MacLeod, Traffic Technician, The Highland Council, Transport, Environmental and Community Services, Ardross House, Ardross Terrace, INVERNESS 1V3 5NQ Tel 01463 702691

20 mph zones were first introduced in Scotland in 1994 to safeguard children, pedestrians and cyclists.

In September 2003, with additional funding from the Scottish Executive, local authorities were empowered further to establish 20 mph speed limit schemes at schools in their areas.

The total resources available to local authorities between 2003 and 2008 amounts to nearly £50 million.

Research has shown that 20 mph zones have made a significant impact on road safety, reducing child pedestrian accidents by 70% and child cyclist accidents by 48%.

The Scottish Executive is committed to achieving targets for a 40% reduction in fatal and serious road casualties and a 50% reduction in fatal & serious road casualties involving children by 2010, compared with the average for the mid 1990s.

Funding is allocated individually to the 32 local authorities across Scotland. This goes towards the implementation of schemes in their areas, namely 20 mph speed limits outside schools, safer routes to school projects and the development of Home Zones.

It is for each authority to determine how they use the resources and which measures they implement (e.g. traffic calming, mini roundabouts, pedestrian footways, crossing facilities, improved lighting & cycle paths).

In September 2003, the Scottish Executive announced funding to enable all local authorities across Scotland to establish 20 mph speed limit schemes at schools in their areas.

In November 2004, additional funding was announced to help improve the safety of children travelling to and from school, bringing the total resources available to local authorities to nearly £50 million between 2003 and 2008.

Date Last updated : 17/06/05