Highland Council ‘ignores’ public opinion on 20mph zones; plus pavement parking fines and talking about death
Learning to talk about death really makes a difference
We read Dr Allison’s article last week and appreciated his acknowledgment of Highland Hospice and the work we deliver. His commentary very closely aligns with the aims of our Last Aid programme and we would love to highlight this in your letters section. I’d be grateful if you could include the following letter content this week:
I was heartened to read Dr Tim Allison’s recent column “Bringing death into the open can lead to better outcomes.” Dr. Allison highlights an important truth. When we are willing to speak openly about death, we are better equipped to support each other through one of life’s most difficult journeys.
At Highland Hospice, we see every day how important it is to normalise discussions around death and dying. Our Last Aid course gives people the confidence to talk with loved ones and friends at every stage of the journey. It looks at planning ahead as well as having practical ways to support someone as they near the end of their life. The course develops knowledge to help people feel more comfortable when navigating this difficult time.
Last Aid values everyone as a teacher and learner. For this reason we involve the public in ensuring that the programme always meets their needs.
Death is a part of life and we all benefit when we face it together, openly and honestly. At Highland Hospice, we’re proud to play a part in that conversation. Together, we can make sure that when the time comes, no one feels helpless or alone.
For those interested, you can learn more about Last Aid on the Highland Hospice website: https://highlandhospice.org/what-we-do/education-learning-development/last-aid
Kirsty Bateson
Knowledge exchange manager
Highland Hospice
Council should listen to the public
I had tended to believe that Highland Council employed officials to implement the will of the electorate and act in that electorate’s best interests - but apparently not.
Road Safety Manager Lisa MacKellaich’s response (Courier 27.5.25.) to the survey which shows that a majority of respondents want 20mph speed limits scrapped is a disgrace, coming as it does from a paid official. What she is in effect saying is “Well we didn’t get the answer to the public survey that we wanted, so here’s a list of excuses for us to ignore it and carry on regardless by making these limits permanent anyway.”
We employ, at the public’s expense, council officials to work on the public’s behalf and not to act as zealots pursuing their preferred traffic and other agendas. Ms MacKellaich’s position as Road Safety Manager most definitely does not entitle her to pursue the creeping anti-car agenda which is going to devastate Inverness as surely as the LEZs imposed on other cities.
Highland Council’s reputation for ignoring public opinion is a longstanding disgrace. For instance this is how we had the ongoing embarrassment which is the Gathering Place imposed on us and how, but for timely intervention by the Eastgate Centre, we would have got Academy Street as well.
It is fundamentally wrong that council officials should be in a position to undermine public opinion, and get away with it into the bargain.
Charles Bannerman
Inverness
Council chasing £1000 a month in pavement parking fines
Almost one in four pavement parking fines have gone unpaid in the Highlands since the national ban was introduced. Penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued for the offence reached £65,800 by the end of March 2025, although £8100 of those were written off.
“And people still park on the pavement.” - Mairi Roehling
“No point in bringing in a law if there is no enforcement.” - Jan Duncan
“True, try looking at Ardness Place, Inverness - even park up lanes and get away with it for months.” - Angela Murdoch
“I have never tolerated pavement parking. Keep doubling the payments every 21 days then take them to court once it exceeds £1000.” - Alan Ogilvie
“Glendoe Terrace/Wyvis by the gym is shocking for pavement parking. They park on both sides of the road on pavement instead of parking in Go Outdoors or somewhere. It gets reported and nothing happens.” - Karen Shane
“Good! Stupidest rule ever. Now there is some justification for some bans but a blanket ban was lazy and inconsiderate.” - Gordon Fleming
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