USE: IMMEDIATE                                                                     ISSUED: Monday, 07 March 2005

A 20mph part-time speed limit goes into operation this week (Monday 7^th March, 2005) at Balloch and Cannich Bridge Primary schools in Inverness Area.

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.

Balloch and Cannich Bridge Primaries are among the first tranche of schools in Highland that are benefiting from the introduction of part time speed limit signs, the others including Mount Pleasant Primary in Thurso, Conon and Mulbuie Primaries in Ross and Cromarty, and Arisaig Primary in Lochaber. 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.

Local Highland Councillor for Balloch, Robert Wynd said: "Reducing speed is about driving a change in attitude – drivers need to realise that they share responsibility for the safety of children on the roads. This new 20mph zone will not only benefit our primary pupils in Balloch but will also benefit our secondary pupils many of whom pass by Balloch Primary on their way to Culloden Academy. I would also urge parents not to park their cars on the yellow zig-zags and the bus stop on Cherry Park Road."

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 two primaries should be aware that the 20mph part time speed limit applies on school days, at Balloch on Mondays to Fridays from 0830 to 0920; 1145 to 1200; 1215 to 1320; and 1430 to 1515. At Cannich the 20mph zone applies from Mondays to Thursdays from 0830 to 0905; 1130 to 1145; 1220 to1325; 1445 to 1500; and 1530 to 1550; and on Fridays from 0830 to 0905; 1130 to 1145 and 1230 to1250.

Local Highland Councillor for Cannich Helen Carmichael said: "Accidents wipe out lives; you wouldn’t want other drivers to speed near your child’s school so I urge drivers not to do it themselves."

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 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 Balloch and Cannich Bridge Primaries and encourage drivers to slow down.

Christine Scott, Head Teacher at Balloch Primary said: "I am delighted that Balloch Primary now has a 20mph zone around the school entrance. However, we are aware that familiarity can lead to complacency and I would urge that our pupils’ parents take heed of the 20 mph speed limits, watch their speed, leave enough time for their journey and also consider healthy alternatives to taking the car on school runs, such as walking or cycling."

Sylvia Fraser, Acting Head Teacher at Cannich Bridge Primary said: "We hope that the 20mph scheme will help safeguard our children but we appeal to drivers using the roads around the school to watch their speed. Speed and speeding are among the most contentious issues in road safety today – choosing the wrong speed at the wrong time can kill."

For further information please contact: Murdo MacLeod, Temp. 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 : 07/03/05