Inverness and Nairn seagulls ‘absolutely vicious!’; plus ‘brave’ schoolboy on support cuts; and ‘selfish’ cyclists and joggers
‘Selfish cyclists and joggers’ are dangerous
I read with interest your article about the partially sighted man Stuart Dow and his problems on Inverness pavements.
I do not have any health issues other than deafness. I wear two latest technology IVHS hearing aids. Without them I hear nothing.
Hearing aids allow me to have limited face to face discussion, but I hear nothing behind me which means I am suddenly surprised by a cyclist or a jogger passing me at speed.
This frequently causes me to lose balance.
There are too many selfish cyclists and joggers on our pavements, paths and suspension bridges.
It is time to prohibit cycling on the suspension bridges except for the ‘Spokes for Folks’ group.
Joggers should be requested to walk across the bridges.
I have been almost knocked off my feet by dogs running along with their owners.
Another hazard is crossing the Ness Bridge from Ness Walk to Huntly Street when cars remain stationary on the pedestrian crossing. When even the police do this, what lesson is that sending out?
Two years ago, the Highway Code announced a new ruling for drivers turning left at a junction i.e. Bishop’s Road to Ness Walk or an entrance to parking ie Glenurquhart Road and Bishop’s into the Highland Council car park.
They should give way to pedestrians walking in the same direction. I recently spoke to two new drivers and they had not heard of this new rule. A police officer confirmed that I was correct.
Dirty dog owners seem to be increasing in number.
I no longer walk as far as the Black Bridge as more and more cars travelling too fast mount the pavements coming from Shore Street and when turning left into Gilbert Street.
Name and address supplied
Calls to boost seagull control
A 74-year-old man who was attacked by a seagull in Nairn last week is calling for urgent action to control the number of birds ahead of the tourist season. Gordon Ashley was walking on the town’s High Street, enjoying an ice cream with his daughter last week, when a large seagull swooped.
“When most of the city centre is takeaway food places and restaurants with street bins containing the leftovers of this food this problem will only remain or get worse.” - Linda Howell
“They are well and truly out of control. And it will only get worse. I would love to have something to eat outside in Inverness, on a nice summer’s day, but don't see the point due to the obvious dangers that seagulls cause.” - Alistair Macfarlane
“Not only town centre - try parts of Smithton where people throw food out for them They swoop at you as you walk past.” - Ann Irvine
“Chemical sterilisation is needed.” - Daniel Hall
“They're absolutely vicious!! I work at the industrial estate opposite Sainsbury's and there are so many seagulls there. They'll have young ones soon so they'll be EXTRA nasty and territorial.” - Kirsty McCallum
“I had a hot pie still within paper bag taken straight from my hand from a seagull in Nairn high street. Literally seconds after leaving the bakers!” - Kelly Sharkey
“What about the root of the issue getting attention? People dropping food everywhere and overflowing bins?” - Joni Phippin
“Everyone is getting fed up trying to fend these birds off. Inverness, Nairn and Elgin are all getting beyond a joke. Time for action.” - Janet Robertson
Pupil calls for support to be reinstated
A Nairn Academy pupil is urging Highland Council to reinstate support staff at his school, as he has found himself struggling after losing one-to-one support. Tom Rhind (13), an S2 pupil diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, has written a letter to the local authority after finding himself without the support for reading and writing he was given in key lessons during his first year.
“Well done to this lad. Highland Council is appaling for the lack of support given to children with additional needs.” - Lianne Cumming
“Well done Tom, I can’t get my head around who came up with the formula to allocate additional support hours based on your postcode and entitlement to free school meals! Proud of you for speaking out.” - Lynne Gray
“So sad, what a brave thing to do to make this public though. Tom's parents and school should be very proud.” - Lisa Gordon
“What a sad situation. Very brave of Tom to make this issue public. Hope it gets sorted for all.” - Katrina Ashford
“Well done Tom! The education system is a complete disgrace, maybe they will sit up and listen to the children experiencing this first hand!” - Leni Roy
“Schools are no longer assessed by points for need (ie number of kids with needs and degree of help required) but by how many kids are in families in reciept of certain benefits. This is ridiculous and has led to our secondary having PSA hours cut in Inverness despite the number of kids with needs going up!” - Hannah Polson
“Good luck lad. You should start a petition to have this decision raised and reversed. You are not alone in your struggles fella, know that. The Highland Council are letting you and your peers down big style!!” - Alison Cummings
“We feel your pain, with a dyslexic S4 in the same school with his first Nat 5 exam tomorrow where he has lost his support in classes too. Again, school have been great at supporting where they can, but these children should be supported.” - Jenna Hayden
“Shame on you Highland Council, a child should not have to advocate for the right for proper support to access education.” - Karen Trott
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