Members of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee have rejected a proposal for a 20mph limit.

Plans for the introduction of a blanket 20mph speed restriction for traffic across Stornoway have been rejected by councillors on the Comhairle’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee.
By Peter Urpeth Local Democracy Reporter
Published 27th Jan 2021, 16:03 GMT
Councillors rejected the proposals at a recent meetingCouncillors rejected the proposals at a recent meeting
Councillors rejected the proposals at a recent meeting

The proposed speed limit would have been introduced as an experiment but councillors and Comhairle officers will now consider revised proposals to keep the main arterial routes in and around the town to their existing 30mph limits, with the town’s smaller roads being subject to the reduced speed limit.But, councillors on the committee did back plans for the introduction of ‘experimental’ traffic regulation orders with 20mph speed limits being introduced in Barra and Uist, with the proposal for Tarbert set to be introduced upon ‘clarification’ of current objections.A report confirmed that there had been no objections to the orders in Castlebay and Balivanich, and two for Tarbert.Cllr Norman MacDonald described the proposed 20mph speed limit in Stornoway as “a ludicrous idea” which had been subject to almost “universal objection” and which would cause “outrage” if it were introduced – a position widely shared by those in attendance.Comhairle Convenor, Cllr Norman A MacDonald (Sgir’ Uige Agus Ceann A Tuath Nan Loch ward) raised concerns that the blanket 20mph limit could reduce the impact of and compliance with existing 20mph zones around schools, and councillors also raised concerns that the new limits would not be adhered to if introduced without enforcement measures.