Inverness barrier and bollard issue under the spotlight this week
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THE future of the controversial Spaces for People social-distancing measures in Inverness city centre will be under the spotlight again this week.
And one recommendation is that the much maligned one-way system round the Castle be retained, along with the "interventions" in Academy Street.
Councillors will consider options on an issue that has not found favour with some traders and motorists, and Inverness BID has spoken out strongly against some aspects.
A major gripe is the plethora of bollards and barriers used to create the spaces.
Highland Council’s Inverness city committee will consider a new report on the future of the Scottish Government-funded project to assist pedestrians maintain pandemic-related social distancing.
Retention, alteration or removal or perhaps a mixture of all three options will be on the agenda.
A council spokesman said: “ The City of Inverness Area Committee received a report at its February 2021 meeting setting out the benefits of the interventions in terms of physical distancing and improving the opportunity to support people to travel by healthier, low carbon transport modes, which will play an increasingly important role in how we respond to the growing climate crisis.
“A further report will be presented to the same committee on August 26 setting out options for the future of the interventions, whether retention, alteration or removal.
“Underspend from the project and other sources of funding has been established to consider long-term solutions and to improve the temporary measures.
“Funding is also secured for the removal and reinstatement of measures if that is the decision of the committee.”
Highland Council secured £1,968,560 to deliver rapid active travel interventions in response to the crisis.
In February, the committee agreed to retain four major interventions while physical distancing advice remains in place.
Councillors also agreed options for a permanent change for Academy Street, and the new one-way around Inverness Castle – both for consideration at a future committee.
While primarily a response to the public health crisis, the council saw an opportunity to test measures to help reduce demand for car-based travel and support people to make healthier travel choices.
The four major schemes that could be retained are Academy Street, Inverness Castle new one-way, Millburn Road with some alterations, and Riverside Way contraflow bike lane and one-way system.
BID believe that due to the “inadequate public transport system”, travel by car into town is often essential.
