Inverness city centre Covid changes continue to anger some, with claims they are unsightly, damaging trade and cause congestion
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THERE has been a mixed public reaction online to the issue over the city centre Spaces for People project.
However more people seem furious about what has been done, especially now social distancing is more relaxed.
Businesswoman Denise Collins of the Castle Gallery has expressed deep concern at how Castle Street businesses are being hit, and called for the Highland Council to abolish the one-way system round the castle.
Alec Kidd said: “The bollards should be removed as well as the-one way system ASAP before the tourist season finishes, to give the town centre a chance to recover.
“The temporary social distancing measures have been a disaster from day one, red and white mess, then black and white trip hazard, countless people falling over them.”
Brian MacDonald said: “As an old Invernesian who grew up in the town, and who visits every year to see my mother from my home in the Cotswolds, I’ve been appalled at the state of Castle Street and the hugely congested one-way system set-up in order to skirt the town or even visit the town.
“Doesn’t the Town Council or planning department know that this is the height of the tourist season? I sympathise with business people whose takings are down. Inverness needs to get its planning under control as this current situation, not only in the town, but at the A9 roundabout at the Kessock Bridge crossing is simply appalling.”
Rodney Griffins said: “Totally crazy these so-called measures, they are not only an eyesore to locals and tourists but they are no longer needed. They were always meant to be temporary, so remove them now and let small businesses in the town get the full benefits of people wanting to come back into the town centre to shop.”
Steven Smith chipped in: “Complete waste of time and money. Get rid!”
Su Christie said: “Wasn’t so bad during lockdowns when hardly any vehicles were on the road but now with it being so busy it’s an accident waiting to happen.”
Paul Middlemass, however, said: “It’s about time that road infrastructure catered for everyone and not just motorists. Pedestrians and cyclists have a legal right of way to use the road, motorists require permission in the form of a licence.”
And Olivia Bell says she remembers traders years ago calling for more pedestrianisation.
