M&S join local businesses to slam 'catastrophic' Highland Council plans to slash Academy Street traffic
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One of the UK’s biggest retailers Marks and Spencer and local businesses have slammed plans to slash traffic access to Academy Street by 75 per cent.
There is widespread shock among some leading businesses in Inverness who labelled the proposals “cack-handed.”
M&S say they are worried about access for their older or disabled customers who may rely on cars to get about.
Tomorrow Inverness councillors will be asked to greenlight an £800,000 revamp of the main artery through the city centre that will restrict access to all vehicles except for deliveries, public transport and blue-badge holders.
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It is hoped by doing so that it will be able to access cash to facilitate changes from Sustrans but if vehicle access was continued then that cash would likely not be forthcoming.
Numerous traders as well as the Inverness Business Improvement District said they feel blind-sided by the development stating that there was no inkling that such restrictions were on the table.
Now traders are speaking out saying that the plans to cut traffic are an eleventh hour addition that it was understood would not come forward because of the risk to traders who are already under severe pressure.
Older people need access
Owen McManus, store manager of M&S Inverness and Director of Inverness Business Improvement District, said: “We are concerned that no attempt has been made by Highland Council to conduct an economic impact assessment before recommending significant traffic restrictions in Academy Street.
“Given the tough economic climate, Inverness city centre is already experiencing reduced footfall compared to pre-pandemic times.”
He added: “We are acutely aware that we serve a wide catchment area – including many shoppers from rural areas and those who are older or disabled who depend on their car.”
Catastrophic effect on the city centre
Mike Smith BID Consultant/former BID manager said: “We have been discussing this for four years with various proposals to upgrade Academy Street and it is only at this late stage that this proposal has been put to debate.
“While BID subscribes to the principle of improving Academy Street in general terms it cannot support proposals to restrict access to access as per Option B [restricted vehicle access].
“Businesses are flabbergasted at these proposals that will have a catastrophic effect on the city centre business community. We have been approached by a number of businesses who are totally against the city committee making such a decision.
Manager of the Eastgate Centre Jackie Cuddy said the news came as a surprise: “I am a bit shocked really. They sat in a room with BID about a week ago and we asked them directly if they were looking at restricting traffic on Academy Street and we were told they were not.
“I think it will definitely harm business around the city centre. This will restrict access to our car park – which is also a commercial enterprise – for people coming from the other side of the river.”
Cack-handed
Craig Duncan who runs several McDonalds’ franchises including in Inverness described the proposals as "cack-handed."
“Generally, I'm in favour of the improvements to Academy Street but we had assurances from Sustrans that there would be no need for cycle lanes because they would basically be impossible to install," he said.
“Basically, it is cack-handed. We know from the experience of Edinburgh that changes brought in to restrict traffic there has a detrimental effect on trade in the city centre.”
He added: “The point is that by doing this you are really getting the message across that you do not want people to come into the city centre and there is a risk that will happen.”
What businesses said in full
Owen McManus, store manager of M&S Inverness and Director of Inverness Business Improvement District
“We are concerned that no attempt has been made by Highland Council to conduct an Economic Impact Assessment before recommending significant traffic restrictions in Academy Street. Given the tough economic climate, Inverness city centre is already experiencing reduced footfall compared to pre-Pandemic times.
“As an M&S store manager, I know how important it is to take environmental issues seriously. M&S was the first major retailer to become carbon neutral in 2012 and we have pledged to become a net zero business across all our operations by 2040.
“At the same time, we are acutely aware that we serve a wide catchment area - including many shoppers from rural areas and those who are older or disabled who depend on their car.
“M&S has been in Inverness for forty-two years and we are very committed to our loyal customers. We hope that committee members will reflect carefully before making their decision.”
Mike Smith BID Consultant/former BID manager
“Obviously the proposals to only restrict access to taxis, buses, delivery vehicles and blue badge holders on Academy Street with the aim of reducing the present 8500 cars to 2000 to meet requirements of Highland Council’s partners Sustrans came out of the blue.
“We have been discussing this for four years with various proposals to upgrade Academy Street and it is only at this late stage that this proposal has been put to debate.
“While BID subscribes to the principle of improving Academy Street in general terms it cannot support proposals to restrict access to access as per Option B.
“Businesses are flabbergasted at these proposals and will have a catastrophic effect on the city centre business community. We have been approached by a number of businesses who are totally against the city committee making such a decision.
“The paper doesn’t include an economic impact assessment, in fact there are only 11 words in the paper on the issue: Potential for impacts and concerns from affected businesses and other stakeholders.”
Jackie Cuddy, Eastgate Centre Manager
“I am a bit shocked really. They sat in a room with BID about a week ago and we asked them directly if they were looking at restricting traffic on Academy Street and we were told they were not.
“I think it will definitely harm business around the city centre. This will restrict access to our car park – which is also a commercial enterprise – for people coming from the other side of the river. A colleague of mine asked about this and he was told by a council officer that he should just park in Rose Street.
“Isn’t that ridiculous? He works at the Eastgate but was advised to change her habits and park elsewhere – that is not encouraging people to come to the city centre and shop.
“People are creatures of habit, they won’t shop in the city centre if they cannot access the shops that they want and you want a vibrant Academy Street and old town.”
Craig Duncan, McDonalds Franchiser
"Generally, I'm in favour of the improvements to Academy Street but we had assurances from Sustrans that there would be no need for cycle lanes because they would basically be impossible to install.
"The bit I couldn't understand was around the putting the new signs up indicating diversions – that didn’t make any sense to me.
“Basically, it is cack-handed. We know from the experience of Edinburgh that changes brought in to restrict traffic there has a detrimental effect on trade in the city centre.
“If we look at places where it works well like St Andrews, Inverurie, Biggar – take Biggar for example, which I know well, people came into Biggar because there were restrictions placed on Lanark.
“The point is that by doing this you are really getting the message across that you do not want people to come into the city centre and there is a risk that will happen.”
