Greens celebrate Highland Council’s decision to 'regenerate' Academy Street by reducing traffic

Greens celebrated Highland Council’s decision to regenerate Academy Street by reducing traffic flows but just hours later the project was suspended so it can be heard at a full meeting of the local authority.

Liberal Democrat group leader submitted a notice of amendment as “this is too important an issue” and “the full Highland Council needs to see the wider impact on the council of the Highlands and the businesses that are based in the Highlands.”

Now the issue will be heard again on September 14 but that did not stop some of the main supporters of the scheme – the Greens group in council – from celebrating citing the wildfires from Cannich to Canada as evidence for the need for action.

• Inverness public reacts in droves to controversial decision to cut traffic in city centre's Academy Street

Aird and Loch Ness Councillor Chris Ballance said “These proposals will change Academy Street from a road to drive through to a place to go to. Not just another road, but a place for people.

“Previous city administrations have talked, planned, dithered and done nothing for decades. Greens elected to the Committee have pushed and pushed and at last we have the chance for action to improve our city centre.

“There are more vacant shops in Academy Street than in the now pleasant pedestrianised areas of the city such as the High Street, Inglis St and Baron Taylor. Making a street attractive encourages people to shop there.”

Fellow Green from Inverness Central Cllr Ryan Mackintosh concurred, saying: “Gone will be the years of traffic jams, honking horns, noise and pollution. Instead, we will have a place people can spend time, look in shop windows, socialise.

“Transport is one of the biggest sources of pollution, responsible for 26 per cent of Scotland’s carbon emissions. Of that figure, 38 per cent of those emissions are generated by cars. If we are serious about reaching net zero we have to reduce traffic.

“The wildfires this summer, from Cannich to Canada have shown the urgency of addressing this problem. For decades cities have been designed around the needs of the car.

“This dominance has to end, and I’m delighted the city committee has taken this important step towards changing behaviour. There have never been any previous referenda on any active travel schemes and the proposal is for further engagement and development of the proposals rather than a simple yes/no.

“Many of those who were opponents of Riverside Way are now very pleased with it and this is similar to what has happened with schemes across the country and beyond.”

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