Glenfinnan speed limit reduction is confirmed
Transport bosses have confirmed the agreed new 40mph speed limit for the stretch of the busy A830 trunk road at Glenfinnan will be in force by the end of March next year.
Transport Scotland had already agreed to implement local MSP Kate Forbes’s request to reduce the 60mph speed limit to 40mph on the road, which lies sandwiched between two of Scotland’s most iconic visitor attractions – the Glenfinnan railway viaduct and the 1745 monument.
Tens of thousands of tourists come to Glenfinnan each year via the A830 to see the viaduct, which featured in the Harry Potter films, as well as the monument, which honours fallen Jacobite clansmen.
Because the Glenfinnan monument does not have its own car park, visitors must walk along and cross the A830 – which has a 60mph limit – to gain access. Local children must also wait at the side of the road for their school bus pick-up.
Along with Glenfinnan Community Council, Ms Forbes campaigned for months to see a reduction on safety grounds.
News of a speed limit reduction to 40mph and the installation of a controlled pedestrian crossing was confirmed earlier this year and now, in a letter to the MSP, Transport Scotland has stated the new signs will be installed before the end of March.
‘This will help make visitor access to Glenfinnan easier, safer and more welcoming,’ Ms Forbes told us. ‘For two years, the local community have been developing ideas for car parking and secured funding through the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund. During this time, they have also been campaigning for a lower speed limit at the crossing place to the monument.
‘After a lot of correspondence, a few meetings and continued pressure, I am delighted to see that Transport Scotland will be implementing the new and lower speed limit before the end of March.
‘I hope this means it’s much safer for visitors and locals alike. It’s another example of community campaigning and sheer determination paying off.’
Although Glenfinnan has no community council at the moment, a spokesman for the group working to raise money towards the new village community car park and bridge project, told the Lochaber Times: ‘The community is pleased that Transport Scotland listened to village concerns and will be reducing the speed limit to 40mph.
‘This action also allowed development of the new community car park to be possible.’