Alarmed residents in Inverness neighbourhood launch campaign in bid to stop 'dangerous and unnecessary' road being built on green space
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Shocked residents in an Inverness neighbourhood have started a campaign opposing plans to create a road cutting across parkland and linking with an existing cul-de-sac near a primary school.
Residents in Drakies were alarmed to discover that design proposals aiming to ease traffic congestion around Inshes roundabout also include a new road linking Sir Walter Scott Drive with Drumossie Avenue, crossing Drakies Park.
The option is shown in an online public consultation launched earlier this month by Highland Council, which also hopes to encourage more active travel in the Inshes travel corridor.
But hundreds of people opposed to the proposed new road into Drakies have now signed a petition, claiming it is dangerous and unnecessary.
They say it will destroy a green space and result in children having to cross a busy road to get to the park as well as creating a "rat run" for motorists wanting to avoid Inshes roundabout.
They are particularly worried that the new road – which will turn an existing cul-de-sac into a through road with two-way traffic – will result in increased traffic passing Drakies Primary.
Resident Fiona Stuart is worried for the safety of children.
"The congestion here is already very bad at pick-up/drop-off points during the school day," she said.
"If there was a two-way road with traffic coming in and out of this street, plus all the parent parking, not to mention residents, there would be carnage."
Mrs Stuart queried who would be using the new road.
"The residents don’t need it," she said.
"We already have access.
"I don’t see it is going to benefit anyone here.
"I fear it will be used as a short cut."
A petition opposing the proposal has already been signed by about 400 people.
It was started by resident Karyne Walker, who said the proposed road would cause more problems than it would solve.
"People will use it to get past the traffic lights on Old Perth Road and Raigmore Hospital," Miss Walker said.
"It is going to make it 10 times worse."
Residents are also unhappy that they were not made aware of the proposal by the council.
Fiona Ednie said: "The idea of a road linking an extremely busy distributor road directly to the entrance of a primary school is unbelievable – and the fact that this part of the plan is not even mentioned in the consultation questionnaire smacks of a very underhand attempt by Highland Council to avoid any resistance to the plan.
"Drakies will become an easy route for motorists trying to avoid the junctions and roundabouts on Old Perth Road which is not in the least suitable for a residential estate.
"Apparently, the plan is ‘to benefit the Drakies residents’. Perhaps Highland Council should ask the residents before making such a statement."
Heavy goods driver William Fraser, who has lived in Drumossie Avenue for 33 years, said the route of the new road would cross Drakies Park.
"It will come through a children’s play park which is supposedly protected land for children’s use," he said.
"It was given by the council – when they were building the Southern Distributor Road – as green space."
A council spokeswoman said the local authority is developing designs to improve the Inshes "corridor" to connect new sections of the city’s transport network together.
A public consultation seeking views on the proposals is currently taking place and all comments should be made by 5pm on July 27.
"This consultation is to share the design options to find out what people think of them," she said.
"The feedback the council receives from this consultation will shape how we refine the design to improve this part of the city."
She added comments are welcome in the consultation response.
Details of the consultation can be found by clicking here.
Related story: Public invited to have say on notorious traffic bottleneck
