Highland Council 'U-turn' on Castle Street one way and Queensgate pedestrian plans, for now
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Highland Council has moved to allay fears it was on the point of introducing highly divisive active travel measures in Inverness despite asking councillors to approve “delivery” of the plans.
Official papers invited members to “agree that officers proceed with the delivery of this network” sparking significant debate, confusion and concern – particularly among the Inverness business community.
- One way Castle Street system resurrected and Queensgate could be pedestrianised for Inverness active travel
- Strong reaction to Highland Council active travel proposals for Inverness city centre
Despite that, and several media outlets reporting the projects were under consideration, Councillor Michael Cameron tried to argue that it was only a “framework” and the press was guilty of “sensationalisation."
Schemes listed in papers issued for this week's economy and infrastructure committee as making the top tier for funding bids included a one-way system around Inverness Castle and the pedestrianisation of Queensgate, Post Office Avenue and Union Street in the city centre.
'Maybe you are going to do a U-turn'
Liberal Democrat opposition leader Councillor Alasdair Christie said the papers should have come with a “health warning” as they came across as a “fait accompli”.
He tabled an amendment insisting on a full consultation.
He said: “There has been a lot of coverage on this in the media and – sorry for the pun – maybe you are going to do a U-turn on this, because it seems strange that a consultant’s report could get so far without it being pulled in and health warnings put against it.”
Long-term plans
Committee chairman Ken Gowans immediately accepted the amendment, saying it would have happened anyway and underlining “we will consult with all our stakeholders and partners before make any decisions.”
He added: “I don’t think we can make any claims that we will be closing or making any streets one way in the short-term. These are things that will be looked at in the very long-term.
“With Castle Street we all know how unpopular that was, so I can’t imagine we will be doing that any time soon.”
'No plan... for the moment'
Executive chief officer for economy and infrastructure Malcolm Macleod said: “So, just to give you an absolute clarification on this that there are no current plans for the proposals set out and there is no funding available and there are no current plans to deliver these at the moment.
“The whole purpose of doing this is that we have a long list from which to work through local areas to ask them if a project is a goer.
"Really we are preparing for next year when the money starts to arrive.”
We need to bring the public and business with us
Finally the leader of Inverness city committee, Cllr Ian Brown said: “I think regarding Inverness, there will be as many briefings for members as we require, there will be meaningful consultations to bring the public, the members and businesses with us.
“At the moment for various reasons we are quite a bit apart and we have to bring it closer together but like it or not this is the future.”
