20mph Programme

Programme details and benefits

Programme Overview

Our 20mph speed limit programme began in June 2023, aiming to enhance road safety and support more active, sustainable travel. 211 settlements across the region were assessed to determine their suitability for a 20mph speed limit. Following this review, 127 settlements were included in the programme.

On 29 May 2025, Members of the Council will vote on whether these 127 areas should retain the 20mph limit on a permanent basis. The only measures which have been introduced for this project are the 20mph signage. As part of the ongoing commitment to safer streets, additional traffic calming measures are also under consideration to support the new speed limits.

Funding

The benefit of agreeing to become an early adopter is that Transport Scotland will fully fund the implementation of 20mph speed limits around the council network (signing and lining only at this stage). This is a significant financial investment for us.

The funding cannot be used to repair roads. The money is for temporary measures and cannot be spent on works that require excavations such as those needed for cycle paths.

Consultation

As required under statutory legislation, all statutory and emergency services were formally consulted on the final Highland-wide 20mph Traffic Regulation Order on 3 December 2024.

A period of public consultation followed, where proposals were publicly advertised in all local editions of The Press and Journal on the 6 January 2025, ensuring the public were able to comment on the proposals. Residents were invited to submit formal representations up until the 10 February.

The final Traffic Regulation Order reflects the outcome of a comprehensive process, including technical assessments of proposed roads, input from Elected Members and Community Councils, and feedback received from the public during the consultation period.

20mph Programmes - Examples Elsewhere

The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that all appropriate roads in built-up areas will have a safer speed limit of 20mph by 2025.

Throughout the UK, the culture around 20mph speed limits is changing towards more extensive and default coverage. 20mph speed limits are in force in many of the medium and larger cities in Britain, and more and more rural authorities are introducing larger-scale extended 20mph programmes, including:

• Bristol
• East Lothian
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Liverpool
• Midlothian
• Oxford
• Perth and Kinross
• Portsmouth
• Scottish Borders
• Sheffield
• West Lothian
• Wales