USE: IMMEDIATE                                                 ISSUED: Monday 23^rd May 2005

A 20mph part-time speed limit goes into operation next week (Monday 30^th May, 2005) at Lochcarron Primary school in Ross and Cromarty 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.

Lochcarron Primary is the fourth school in Ross and Cromarty that is now benefiting from the introduction of part time speed limit signs, the others including Conon, Mulbuie, and Hilton of Cadboll Primaries. 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 Lochcarron, Ewen Mackinnon said: "We need to see a step change in traffic speed reduction around our schools.

"These signs will alert drivers to take extra care with their speed at appropriate times of the day and hopefully activate drivers’ reactions which will considerably enhance the safety of our children."

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 Lochcarron Primary should be aware that the 20mph part time speed limit applies on school days, Mondays to Fridays from 08.45 – 09.20; 12.30 – 13.50; and 15.15 – 15.30.

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 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 Lochcarron Primary and encourage drivers to slow down.

Anne Stewart, Acting Head Teacher at Lochcarron Primary said: "I am delighted that we now have a 20mph zone around the school entrance. As the school is on a straight road into the village you can often see vehicles going at a terrific speed past the school. I am sure that the 20mph zone will make a huge difference to our pupils’ safety."

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 : 23/05/05