Under starter’s orders for limit trial
Given that retail has re-opened and the tourist season here is beginning, it would be a good idea to get going with this
Signs restricting the speed limit in parts of Crieff and Comrie to 20 miles per hour are set to be installed “as soon as practically possible”, according to council bosses.
The news comes in the wake of a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order in relation to cutting speed on sections of the A85 being published by Transport Scotland towards the end of last month.
Part of the wider £1.1million Spaces for People project – which has already seen the limit reduced in more than 40 locations in Perth and Kinross – the order came into effect from April 23 and will run until October 31.
In Crieff, a recently-published public notice states it covers a 647- metre section of the A85 from Comrie Street and its junction with Comrie Road “southeastwards then north-eastwards to its junction with Leadenflower Street”.
In Comrie, the temporary change covers a 718-metre section “from a point
36 metres or thereby south-east of the junction with Monument Road, southeastwards then north-eastwards to a point 165 metres or thereby north-east of the junction with Nurses Lane”.
Local resident Craig Finlay has written to both Perth and Kinross Council and Transport Scotland, which manages the road, several times to request updates in relation to the project’s progress.
He has also repeatedly called for a new pedestrian crossing to be installed in East High Street.
He said: “It’s great that Transport Scotland has finally issued an order to begin the temporary speed limit of 20mph
in Crieff and Comrie’s retail areas, but it’s disappointing that the signage ordering drivers to obey this new limit hasn’t yet been installed.
“Given that retail has re-opened and the tourist season here is beginning, it would be a good idea to get going with this soon.”
A spokesperson for the council explained: “A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order was made by Transport Scotland in preparation for the 20mph speed limit signs being erected.
“This is part of the Spaces for People project, which aims to help promote health and wellbeing in communities by helping create streets and places that feel safer and are more enjoyable to walk, wheel and cycle in.
“We are currently working with Transport Scotland and Bear Scotland to carry out the traffic signing works and the signs will be installed by them soon as practically possible.
“As these 20mph speed limits are part of a trial we will continuously review their success to determine if this should become a permanent signage in the area.”
PKC has previously said the delay in implementing the 20mph zones in the two Strath communities was because of issues associated with the trunk road which runs through both locations.