Home   News   Article

Call to reimagine Inverness city centre could see vehicles banned from some streets


By Val Sweeney

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
A call has been made to investigate the possibility of making Union Street a pedestrian area.
A call has been made to investigate the possibility of making Union Street a pedestrian area.

A bold vision to pedestrianise part of Inverness city centre will be put to city leaders next week.

A call is being made for the pedestrianisation of Union Street and Queensgate to be investigated to create a café and restaurant culture in the area.

The idea is being put forward by Councillors Ron MacWilliam and Glynis Campbell-Sinclair, who will ask members of the Inverness area committee to undertake a "re-imagining of the city" to encourage more people into the centre and support existing businesses.

They also want a programme of works to include a deep clean of streets and trees and shrubs to be planted, to make the city a cleaner, greener and fresher place to live, work and visit.

Their motion will be put to city councillors on Thursday and the aim is to start a public conversation.

But it has already run into opposition from some traders in the area who say pedestrianisation could be a disaster for some businesses.

Councillor Ron MacWilliam.
Councillor Ron MacWilliam.

Cllr MacWilliam, who represents Ness-side, said there were hundreds of ideas about what to do with the city centre, but very few came to fruition.

"There are multiple projects and ideas about projects in the pipeline but they never seem to come out the other end of the pipe," he said.

"The aim is to present an idea for discussion and public consultation that might or might not work.

"Right now, we are in this pandemic which has been a bitter blow for the city centre and its businesses and we feel right now would be the time to be thinking about implementing some long-term infrastructure projects which would enhance the city centre.

"This is one idea which could fit very well as to how the city centre would look in a post-Covid world."

The idea comes as work is set to start in January on a £1.6 million revamp of the Victorian Market, which will include a central seating area and new units.

Cllr MacWilliam felt the idea of creating a café and restaurant culture in the area was worthy of exploration.

"It is about getting a conversation going and getting a bit more of a link up with all the ideas which are flying around," he said.

"We know encouraging cycling and walking helps to encourage economic activity."

Colin Craig of Oil and Vinegar.
Colin Craig of Oil and Vinegar.

But Colin Craig, who runs Oil and Vinegar in Union Street, said he would be opposed to pedestrianisation.

"It would be catastrophic for a lot of businesses like mine who are here at the moment and rely on passing trade, click and collect and home deliveries," he said.

"I understand the desire to help the café culture and I understand where the idea is coming from."

However, he felt it would have a serious impact on trade.

"I am all in favour of traffic-calming measures," he said. "I like the idea of what happens in some continental places where you have cars and people and some bikes all in the same place but with clear lanes."

There was also opposition from Garek Begg, a director of Begg Shoes, which has nine stores across Scotland including branches in Union Street and Eastgate.

"The thing about the whole of the Old Town is that there are small independent shops which depend on local suppliers and customers getting to the door," he said.

"This is like signing a death warrant for those people.

"It would be pedestrianisation with no pedestrians."

Butcher Duncan Fraser.
Butcher Duncan Fraser.

Butcher Duncan Fraser, whose shop is in Queensgate, supported the idea of pedestrianisation in principle but said more detail was needed and the right infrastructure would need to be put in place, as well as arrangements for deliveries.

"Hopefully, it would improve footfall," he said.

"People would hopefully walk round more.

"It seems to be the way forward in many city centres. But there is a lot to be discussed."

Henry Burkinshaw, of Escobar in Queensgate, said both that street and Union Street were flourishing with a variety of eateries and bars.

"The potential pedestrianisation of the streets would certainly boost accessibility even more and bring a more welcoming feel to the area," he said.

Could cars be banned from Queensgate?
Could cars be banned from Queensgate?

Mike Smith, manager of Inverness Business Improvement District (BID), said a survey a few months ago indicated 92 per cent of businesses were against pedestrianisation in the city centre.

"Free movement of vehicles both for servicing businesses and for people coming in is essential," he added.

What do you think? Email newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk.

Related story: City centre should not be no-go area for cars


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More