Fears over plans to ease Inshes roundabout congestion in Inverness
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Planned major changes at a notorious traffic bottleneck in Inverness have prompted an outcry from nearby communities.
Fears have been voiced that proposals to ease congestion at Inshes roundabout will create additional traffic in Drakies housing estate and pose a danger particularly to children and older people.
The proposals, put forward by Highland Council, involve creating three new accesses from the B9006 to Drakies housing estate, Inshes Retail Park and Police Scotland’s Highlands and Islands headquarters plus stopping up four access points.
The application has been lodged in conjunction with plans to reduce the number of exits from the roundabout – which is known for its lengthy tailbacks – from six to four which will be controlled by traffic lights.
But it has prompted a backlash from residents and community leaders who are calling on planners to go back to the drawing board.
Culcabock and Drakies Community Council is also holding a public meeting on Thursday at 7.30pm to discuss the plans. It will be held at Drakies Hall and will be attended by council representatives.
Inshes and Milton of Leys Community Council says it has serious concerns the proposed scheme will not address the traffic problems.
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Many objectors voice concerns about the proposed stopping up of an existing access from Drakies housing estate via Old Perth Road to the B9006 and the creation of a new access linking into Drumossie Avenue where the school is located.
Amanda Dunn said she was “utterly flabbergasted and disgusted”.
“In doing this, you are turning a residential estate into a bypass for all traffic so that they can avoid the Inshes roundabout,” she said.
One parent voiced his fears that his three young children will be put at risk with increased traffic in Drumossie Avenue and Balvonie Avenue.
“This junction will only cause more stationary traffic on Old Perth road and in Drakies,” he stated.
“With traffic waiting at the junction, this could result in my household not being able to get out of our driveway.”
Another concerned parent and childminder stated: “The school is on Drumossie Avenue with children walking to and from school at peak traffic times which will be awful with the amount of traffic this application will cause throughout Drakies.”
