Drivers have been warned that a major region is set to make 20mph limits the default speed, impacting several streets after new traffic orders were approved.
The Highland Council approved the final Traffic Regulation Order to formalise all 20mph speed limit schemes across the Highlands.
The decision represents the concluding step in implementing reduced speed limits throughout towns, villages and settlements in the council area.
All roads included in the final order follow technical assessments and discussions with council members, community councils and the public.
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The Scottish Government hopes to set out a clear plan for 20mph by the end of the year
PA/GETTYThe approval triggers the formal implementation of the Traffic Regulation Order, marking a significant milestone in the council's road safety programme.
The Highland Council was selected by the Scottish Government as an early adopter for the 20mph rollout, which forms part of the national strategy to introduce consistent speed limits across Scotland by 2025.
Committee chair Councillor Ken Gowans said the council agreed in summer 2022 to take on the opportunity provided by Transport Scotland for early adoption of 20mph speed limits.
"This has been a huge piece of work, so firstly I want to thank many members of the public, community groups and my fellow councillors for getting involved and providing feedback throughout the process," he said.
Gowans also thanked the council's road safety team for their dedication, noting that "to do a roll out on this scale is unprecedented".
The councillor described the approval as "a significant milestone for road safety and another big step in our ambition to reduce accidents on our roads."
Highland Council was selected by the Scottish Government to pilot the 20mph scheme rollout, with Transport Scotland meeting all project costs.
By being an early adopter, the council fast-tracked the implementation of the speed limits and worked closely with Transport Scotland to examine the process and refine it for the wider rollout currently happening across Scotland.
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Map of 20mph areas across the HighlandsHIGHLAND COUNCILThe 20mph programme forms part of the Scottish Government and Scottish Green Party Shared Policy Programme commitment that all appropriate roads in built-up areas will have a safer speed limit of 20mph by 2025.
The national strategy aims to expand 20mph speed limits across Scotland and introduce consistency for drivers, while reducing perceptions of road danger and encouraging people to walk and wheel.
Previous and post-implementation speed counts have been taken at over 250 locations across Highland, with results available on the council's dedicated 20mph webpages throughout the project.
The data showed an encouraging reduction in collisions compared to statistics before the 20mph speed limit was introduced.
The Highlands Council has been in the process of converting roads to 20mph since 2022
PAGowans shared: "The information gathered since we introduced 20mph across our towns, villages and settlements shows an encouraging reduction in collisions compared to those statistics before the 20mph speed limit was introduced. This is really very positive news for communities across Highland."
The council's 20mph scheme aims to improve road safety through simplifying speed limits for drivers, reducing perceptions of road danger, making it safer for people to walk and wheel, and creating more pleasant towns, villages and neighbourhoods by providing a calmer environment for all road users.
Following the committee's decision, a rollout of road markings and roundels will commence, with contracts already in place for implementation across several Highland areas.
Work is scheduled to begin in Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, Caithness and Sutherland, with other areas to follow in subsequent phases.
The physical implementation of the 20mph signage represents the final stage of the comprehensive programme.
The rollout will ensure all designated roads display appropriate speed limit markings to inform drivers of the new restrictions.
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