Forres eyes 20mph limits on residential streets

TL;DR

Moray Council plans 20mph speed limits on most Forres streets by 2028 under Scottish Government policy.
At 20mph, pedestrian death risk drops to 2-5% from 20-25% at 30mph, per council research.
Community seeks enforcement amid support for safety on residential routes and near schools.

The story at a glance

Moray Council is rolling out 20mph limits on residential streets in Forres and villages like Dyke, Kinloss, Findhorn and Rafford, starting with roads such as Mannachie Road, Market Street and Victoria Road. Main routes like Grantown Road and parts of Nairn Road stay at 30mph or 40mph. The council is gathering feedback via its engage portal for 12-18 months ahead of wider rollout by 2028. This follows a national Scottish Government push for lower speeds in built-up areas.

Key points

Initial changes hit Mannachie Road (20mph from Meadowlark Care Home), St Leonard’s Road (from new build-out), Market Street, West Road, Victoria Road and Nairn Road sections.
High Street becomes 20mph, but Victoria Road stays 30mph from Grant Park to A96, and Nairn Road 30mph past Tesco.
Research cited: lower speeds cut serious injury risk, with 20mph reducing pedestrian fatalities to 2-5% versus 20-25% at 30mph.
Councillor Draeyk van der Horn notes minimal time savings from speeding, like just 2.5 minutes over five miles from 30mph to 40mph.
Forres Community Council chair Steve Ferris says limits will rely on drivers' good nature, with police promising action on reports.
Residents suggest 20mph on train station routes, industrial estates, Grantown Road past health centre, citing speeding lorries and child safety.
Feedback sought at engage.moray.gov.uk/20mph-speed-limit-consultation for next 17 months.

Details and context

The policy targets residential and community areas first, sparing main in-out routes to balance safety and traffic flow. Police, led by Inspector Neil Morrison, prioritise patrols on high-risk spots based on intelligence for casualty reduction.

Community council discussed enforcement, with constable Kevin Skivington noting past success like curbing red-light jumping at health centre via visible officers.

Some residents push for blanket 20mph inside town limits for safety, cost savings and quality of life, pointing to proven success elsewhere.

Key quotes

“If lowering speeds reduces the likelihood of someone in our communities suffering a serious or fatal injury on our roads, then it is a sensible step to consider.” — Council spokesperson
“People who speed not only put themselves at risk, but also other members of the public, and drivers should take responsibility for their own actions when they get behind the wheel.” — Inspector Neil Morrison

Why it matters

Lower speeds could sharply cut pedestrian deaths and injuries in Moray's towns and villages. Forres drivers face new 20mph zones on residential streets by 2028, relying partly on voluntary compliance and targeted policing. Watch community feedback and enforcement patterns over the next 17 months to see rollout adjustments.