POLL RESULTS: Overwhelming majority back the planned overhaul of Academy Street in Inverness as Highland Council aims to increase pedestrian and cycle access while reducing it for vehicles through the £800,000 Places for Everyone project
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The vast majority of people taking part in our poll have backed the proposals to radically change the layout of Academy Street in Inverness.
We asked: What do you think about the proposals to expand the pavements on Academy Street to increase pedestrian and cycle access while reducing the number of vehicles on the street?
The responses showed that 71 per cent backed the idea, agreeing with the statement: “I am all for them, the street is polluted and needs to be redesigned.”
While just 12 per cent voiced agreement with the phrase: “I can't stand the plans, there is nothing wrong with how it is now while 18 per cent felt that they were undecided and wanted to know more.
Highland Council has launched a consultation on its proposed designs that aim to make it more people friendly.
The street is one of the most congested and polluted in Scotland and there have been calls for serious makeover for years.
So far, no attempt has made it very far but this one could go the distance backed by £800,000 of Scottish Government cash.
- Related story – Views are being sought by Highland Council on proposed designs for Academy Street in Inverness
Visuals of the scheme have been published on a dedicated website set up to showcase the vision for Academy Street and gather feedback.
The plans can be viewed at the consultation website and over the next few weeks, businesses and other stakeholders, and the general public will be invited to share their events
The designs will also be on show in the city centre – at the bus station, railway station, Eastgate Shopping Centre and Victorian Market.
The council has secured funding through Places for Everyone scheme funded by the government through Transport Scotland and is administered by Sustrans.
But the funding is contingent on identifying a viable alternative cycle path to Academy Street which enables cyclists to safely cross the city.
The central focus of the design for Academy Street is to widen the pavement and increase space for pedestrians, something that was trialled during the Covid-19 pandemic when temporary measures were introduced to Academy Street as part of the Spaces for People project. Funded by the Scottish Government, this was a Highland-wide initiative that not only provided physical distancing but also improved the opportunity to support people to travel by healthier, low carbon transport such as walking, wheeling and cycling.
