Controversial council plans to revamp Academy Street expected to cost £7.5 million
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Hugely controversial plans to expand pavements and slash vehicle access to Academy Street are estimated to cost £7.5 million, as those for and against speak out about the proposals.
Highland Council’s Inverness area committee agreed last Thursday to widen pavements and cut vehicle traffic by about 75 per cent except for blue badge holders, taxis, buses, and delivery vans.
On top of the £800,000 it has already secured, the council is seeking Scottish Government cash from a Sustrans-administered fund called Places for Everyone for the work and estimates that it will need £7.5 million.
There was a fierce backlash from some firms in the city centre, who fear jobs and businesses are at risk while active travel groups were supportive and welcomed the development insisting it will encourage cycling and walking.
The business community – including M&S, Munro and Noble, Mor-Rioghain Group and the Eastgate Shopping Centre and major developer Willie Gray – say the proposals were never directly put to them.
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Mr Gray said: “The whole thing is just being railroaded through, it has not been properly consulted on, the effect of this decision – completely unquestioned by most councillors – is that it is going to isolate the whole of the city centre. It may challenge property prices going forward and I think it will be far from the vibrant city centre that they think they are going to have.”
Gordon McIntosh, practice manager at Munro and Noble, said: “This is yet another body blow to a city centre business community that is already hurting from Covid, inflation, strikes, an energy crisis, fluctuating macro market conditions and staff shortages caused by Brexit.
“For the city centre to have a future with sustainable ‘active businesses’, the pursuit of ‘active travel’ along Academy Street is, in our respectful opinion, flawed and damaging to the local economy.”
Among those who support the move is Highland Cycle Campaign convener John Davidson: “We’re pleased that councillors backed the plan to significantly reduce traffic on Academy Street, which has been listed as one of the most polluted streets in Scotland.
“The development should transform this important area of Inverness into a place where people want to come and spend time – and money – without the fear of up to 9000 vehicles-a-day crammed into what could be a beautiful city centre.”
Stuart Hay, director of Living Streets Scotland, said: “Living Streets Scotland supports these proposals to improve Inverness city centre – and we are certain that they will reduce air pollution and harmful emissions and encourage more people to walk and cycle.
“Of course, it’s important to consult with different groups, like disabled people, so that everyone’s needs are met.”
