Call to review myriad of speed limits

A call has been made for a review of the numerous varying speed limits in and around Fort William.

MSPs Kate Forbes and Donald Cameron have written to Transport Scotland urging officials to review the limits following concerns from constituents.

From the Croit Anna Hotel beside the A82 trunk road on the southside of Fort William to the Annat Industrial Estate near Corpach on the A830 trunk road, the speed limit changes nine times.

Ms Forbes and Mr Cameron want Transport Scotland to launch a consultation with the wider community and regular road users to see if a streamlined speed limit would be more beneficial. Mr

Cameron said: ‘There appears to be a case for simplifying the speed limits for this stretch of the road and I know Kilmallie Community Council has been raising this issue for some time.

‘Clarity is essential when it comes to road safety and I hope

Transport Scotland will bear that in mind when reviewing the current arrangements.’

Ms Forbes added: ‘I recognise this is a difficult issue and I would support a review of the speed limit. A consultation would allow people to express their views and for data to be taken into account. I am always happy to work alongside my fellow Highland MSP Donald Cameron, even though he represents a different party.

‘In these times, it is important we are all pulling together to serve the people of the Highlands.’

Acting chairman of Kilmallie Community Council and one-time divisional roads engineer with Highland Regional Council John Hutchison told the Lochaber Times: ‘You certainly expect speed limits to vary over a seven-mile length of trunk road that passes through some built up areas, but the variations in recent years have been in response to specific changes, such as the new roundabouts at Lochybridge and Blàr Mòr, so a whole-length review would be sensible.