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Highland Councillors have agreed to give �150,000 over the next two and a half years to Ormlie Community Association for Scotland's most northerly Home Zone project. This money comes from the �1.214 million that the Scottish Executive gave the Council to spend on 20 mph speed limits around school and related capital projects over the next two and a half years.

The Ormlie Estate in Thurso is one of four areas to successfully bid to pilot Home Zones in Scotland. Home Zones are people friendly residential streets with reduced vehicle speed and integrated safety measures for children, pedestrians and cyclists.

The Ormlie project involves far-sighted plans to re-design and re-allocate road space to reduce traffic speed, create child-friendly play areas and encourage greater use of street space by the community.  It has been developed by Ormlie Community Association in partnership with The Highland Council, Highland Health Board, Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise and the Northern Constabulary.

Area TEC Services Chairman, Councillor John Green said: ""Home Zones are not just about reducing traffic speed, they are about creating a safe and pleasant living environment. This money will allow the community to complete the next phase of the project.  Phase 1 is now complete and has helped to reduce traffic speed and improve the safety for everyone living in the community."

Local Councillor Donald Mackay said: "Since the Home Zone project started the whole community have been very enthusiastic and given it great support."

This funding is in addition to the �28,000 from Cycling, Walking and Safer Streets funding which was awarded to Ormlie Community Association last December in respect of traffic calming.

The Transport Minister Nicol Stephen announced on 26 September 2003 that local authorities were being awarded �27 million over the next 2� years for the introduction of 20 mph limits around school areas and other road safety projects to improve pedestrian and cycling safety.

The Highland Council has been awarded a maximum of �224,000 for �2003-4, �496,000 for �2004-5 and �493,000 for 2005-6.