Highland 20mph speed limit made permanent

Highland councillors have agreed to keep 20mph speed limits at 127 locations across its region.

Limits were lowered from 30mph in 2023 as part of a trial designed to improve safety.

Councillors voted in favour of keeping the scheme by 10 votes to seven.

The decision equates to hundreds of miles of road.

Highland Council has the longest road network in the UK with more than 4,200 miles (6,759km) of roads.

The locations include roads in Inverness, Nairn, Wick and Thurso.

The council said data showed the trial resulted in an average speed reduction of about 3mph for those driving at 28mph or above.

Conservative councillor Ruraidh Stewart argued the trial had not proven effective, and part-time 20mph limits outside schools were enough.

But economy and infrastructure committee chairman and SNP councillor, Ken Gowans, said the scheme could save lives.