§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications to impose speed restrictions have been submitted by Highland regional council over the past 15 months; how many of those applications have been rejected; and what have been the precise reasons for his Department having rejected each application.
§ Mr. AncramNine applications have been received, of which two have been approved, five rejected and two are still being considered. Applications in respect of Bettyhill, Carrbridge, Dunnet, Kinlochewe and Thurso were rejected as the environmental criteria were not met. In addition the accident criteria were not met for Bettyhill, Carrbridge, Kinlochewe and Thurso, and the minimum length of road criteria for Dunnet, Kinlochewe and Thurso.
§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give consideration to the introduction of different criteria for the imposition of speed restrictions in urban and rural areas to take account of the differing traffic patterns in the two types of area.
§ Mr. AncramThe speed limit criteria and the guidelines set out in Scottish Development Department circular No. 18/80 are already sufficiently flexible to take account of the circumstances in each type of area.