It is a pity that the Scottish Government cannot complete the joined-up thinking by funding the Inverness Trunk Link Route (TLR) within a suitable time scale to complete in one phase the development of this key area which will become central to the enlarging and developing city of Inverness.

Meanwhile, we have to live with the likely scenario of the campus being developed before the TLR is ready. This poses a problem with the only existing fly-over across the A9. Ideally one would like to see two fly-overs forming an extended one-way or roundabout system to improve the flow of traffic, but apparently the cost and the time delay in securing the necessary land are prohibitive at present.

It is evident that the new campus will increase the flow of traffic from west to east over this inadequate two-way B-road in spite of the other feeder roads which have been sensibly built into the current plans. I suggest that the existing fly-over should be commandeered for traffic only and a second pedestrian/cycle overpass constructed. This will allow: 1. the fly-over to be utilized maximally for vehicular traffic; 2. a safer passage for cyclists; 3. an additional and possibly better route over the A9 for those cyclists who will be reluctant to travel to the cleverly constructed 'green crossing' at the north end of the campus; and 4. it will be a cost-effective temporary solution while we await the definitive solution when the TLR is constructed. There may even be a benefit in experiencing the real impact of the new campus on traffic before the final TLR traffic management modelling is finalised.

Dr Donald Boyd, Scottish Christian Party, Rosedene Business Centre, 2 Drummond Crescent, Inverness.

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