One way Castle Street system resurrected and Queensgate could be pedestrianised for Inverness active travel
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A controversial one-way system around Inverness Castle previously labelled an “omni bùrach” could be reinstated as part of a new active travel plan for the Highlands.
Highland Council's economy and infrastructure committee will be asked on Thursday to approve funding bids for a range of active travel measures across the region, costing an estimated £97-171 million in total.
The money would come from Scottish Government Places for Everyone and Active Travel Transformation Project streams
The one-way system introduced around the castle as part of Covid-era Spaces for People measures was removed by councillors at the first opportunity after loud complaints from drivers and businesses as ambulances also struggled to get through traffic there at times.
- Inverness Castle one-way system ditched but Academy Street bollards will stay while Millburn Road cycle lane shortened
- Businessman David Traill says Council's Academy Street plans threaten to repeat 'abject disaster'
- How Spaces for People became the £800,000 Places for Everyone plan to transform Academy Street
Now businesses which raised fears of wider pedestrianisation measures for the city centre in the wake of proposals to severely restrict traffic access to Academy Street also appear to have been right – with Queensgate, Union Street and Post Office Avenue all also earmarked for change in the plan.
According to council papers the overall aim is to "pedestrianise and filter streets to provide safe and traffic free or reduced traffic routes within the city centre.”
The proposals extend across the Highlands. As well as Inverness there are masterplans for Nairn; Aviemore; Alness and Invergordon; Dingwall; Tain; Thurso; Wick; Fort William and Portree.
There will also be individual plans for certain areas – Academy Street a prime example – and a network of active travel measures to provide links between settlements in the Inner Moray Firth area.
The council says the vision is based on “clear, consistent and evidence-led methodology" to prioritise delivery of an active travel network.
Scoring of each individual proposal was carried out by Edinburgh-based transport consultants ARUP.
It delivered a top 10, with Queensgate, Union Street and Post Office Avenue top of the list.
The proposal for Castle Road and Castle Street, to create a one-way loop around Inverness Castle, is considered a tier 2 project.
Other proposals for Inverness include the introduction of a "cycle street" on Ness Bank, where cars must give way to cyclists.
An opportunity is also identified for a two-way cycleway with the removal of parking on one side of the route.
Council officers are now seeking political approval for the bids to move the plans closer to reality.
