Highland Council to raise some 20mph limits back to 30mph

A sign for one of the trial 20mph speed limits in Inverness

Highland Council has started a review of 20mph limits introduced to its roads on a trial basis earlier this year.

The authority said several routes would return to their original 30mph speed limit from the start of next year.

Highland Council is taking part in a Transport Scotland pilot project ahead of a planned national roll-out of 20mph limits in 2025.

In a report to councillors, officials said it had always been the intention to restore some 30s during the trial.

Decisions on which roads revert back would be based on professional assessments and public feedback, council officials said.

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The pilot started this summer and involves 125 communities.

Streets in Inverness and also in towns and villages, including Nairn, Auldearn, Kingussie, Mallaig, Brora and Portree, have had 20mph limits introduced.

The officials' report is due to be discussed at a Highland Council meeting next week.

In January, Scottish Borders Council said a 20mph speed limit would be made permanent in most places across its region.

The local authority said the decision was made after a two-year trial produced "clear and obvious safety benefits".

Scottish Borders was the first council in Scotland to introduce the zones in all areas.

An online consultation on the move was forced offline last year due the abuse received.