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Many remain opposed to controversial Inverness Spaces for People measures ahead of key Highland Council city committee meeting


By Gregor White

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Spaces for People bollards and barriers in Academy Street.Picture Gary Anthony.
Spaces for People bollards and barriers in Academy Street.Picture Gary Anthony.

Councillors are to be asked to approve the retention of controversial Spaces for People measures tomorrow – and readers have not been slow to tell us what they think.

Introduced in the city centre in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, councillors at a meeting of Highland Council’s city of Inverness committee tomorrow are to be asked to approve retention of measures in Academy Street, Riverside Way and around the castle – and alter measures in place in Millburn Road.

When the Inverness Courier reported on the upcoming meeting readers were quick to share their views:

“This whole system was put in place for social distancing, which is now being relaxed. In relation to all areas around Inverness which have been changed to one way and bollarded, they will not help with climate change issues as people are now stuck in traffic jams causing pollution. Before these measures were put in place the traffic ran more freely and emergency vehicles were not stuck in traffic jams when trying to attend emergencies. The roads need reinstated including the two way system along the riverside. There is plenty space for both vehicle and bicycle access, the vehicle users being the ones charged road tax.” – James McDowall, Inverness

“Over 100 comments on the Facebook page related to this and not one in favour, surely that is an indication of opinion in the town re this shambolic situation. Also many entries asking WHO is pushing councillors to retain this.” – Iain Hamilton, Inverness

“Nonsense. Remove all unsightly barriers and restrictions and return the town to normal. It’s what every business owner wants but will the council listen? I hope so.” – Charlie Barbour, Inverness

“Putting aside the pros and cons of each individual scheme, I suspect much of the opposition comes from folk who understandably don’t like how they look as much as anything – messy, incomplete and unwelcoming. But if they are approved in principle the council can then attract significant funding to do what many of us have always felt was needed. Well designed ‘shared’ surfaces – like Huntly Street – would be the making of Academy street for example. The ‘riverside way’ is crying out for such treatment too – particularly in front of the old RNI. A gentler more welcoming space.” – Thomas Prag, Inverness

“Cars sitting in traffic jams will not decrease carbon emissions – quite the opposite.” – Gill O’Connell, Inverness

“It seems ridiculous to me to retain such a monstrosity that is the ‘new’ one-way system in and out of town at present. Traffic jams are a regular occurrence and very few people cycle or walk in the large spaces that have been provided under the guise of ‘social distancing’. Road space is wasted by the huge bollards that are in place. The two way system should be reinstated ASAP.” – Gary Coombe, Inverness

Will measures in the shadow of Inverness Castle be retained?
Will measures in the shadow of Inverness Castle be retained?

“The way in which the council have attacked the commercial and social life of the city by these measures is wholly consistent with the fear and ignorance that have attended the virus outrage. 2020 was 35th in the last 50 years for all-causes mortality. Nobody needs to know any more than that to have the gravest reservations about the truth and integrity of government on this issue. For the council to have taken the money to destroy our local economy in the way it did is shameful. Time to wake up from this sleepwalk.” – Joss Wynne Evans, Drumnadrochit

“The Covid distancing measures need removed urgently, especially around the castle, Haugh Brae and river. Ambulances cannot access the other side of the river due to constant tail to tail traffic, the roads are too narrow for traffic to move to allow emergency vehicles to pass. Ballifeary Community Council and those on this side of the river have raised safety concerns with Highland Council but have been completely ignored.” – Julie Balfour, Inverness

“Highland Council is proposing to make the daft traffic measures in Academy Street and around the castle permanent. They appear deaf to the people. We all know it can now take 20 minutes to drive down Academy Street. There are queues out Millburn Road. Are the council really daft enough to think that is sensible? Are they deliberately trying to stop us making essential journeys through the city? Do they understand the city is dying from customers being prevented from getting to the businesses? People should contact their local councillors. Inverness cannot survive the daft street restrictions currently in place.” – Donald MacKenzie, Inverness

“I think that the one way system at the castle should go as it creates a bottle neck and a lot of drivers misread the green bike traffic light and cross the junction whilst traffic light is still on red.” – John Gellatly, Inverness

“Many people will not know that the car park on Castle Street is private, weekdays between 8am-5pm, for the use of councillors. Councillors represent us, they are one of us, and as the saying goes ‘We are all in this together’. It is time to do away with this elitist privilege and open the car park 24/7 to ordinary folk. This would be a major step in the right direction to help bring business back into Castle Street and the surrounding area after the impact of Covid. Councillors should vote for the good of the local, independent businesses on Castle Street and make the Castle Street car park open to all.” – Denise Collins, Inverness

“Now is the time to let Inverness try and get back to normal, or a new normal. Let’s give city centre businesses a break/ chance of survival please. When you can’t really plan your day due to traffic or make appointments with certainty it really does affect people. The last period of time has been a challenge, could the councillors please remove this burden and allow business a chance. I am a shop owner of some 35 years and a break from time to time would help many. Please consider wisely, it could cost you your seat!” – Robert Mckendrick


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