Renewed bid for new crossing on busy A82
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A NEW pedestrian crossing is vital to prevent an accident from happening on one of Inverness’s busiest roads.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart made the claim as he backed community calls for a new crossing on the A82 close to both Highland Council’s headquarters and Central Primary School.
Mr Stewart met with B&B owner John Patience and Ballifeary mother Helen Smith this week to discuss the issue and has now written to Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf, asking him to look at the situation.
Transport Scotland rejected the idea of a new crossing earlier this year.
"The stretch of road from the council headquarters to Planefield Road is extremely busy as I witnessed on a visit with Mr Patience and Ms Smith," he said.
"People crossing just up from the Tomnahurich Street/Kenneth Street junction are often caught in the middle of the road waiting for traffic to clear in order to cross.
"I’ve also been told that, although there is a lollipop crossing near Planefield Road for children at Central Primary School, often the traffic doesn’t stop quickly when the lollipop person steps into the road and that causes concern.
"Transport Scotland says there are traffic islands along Glenurquhart Road, but I don’t think these are adequate.
"I would hate for an accident to happen there."
Mr Stewart was backed in his call by Inverness West SNP councillor Bill Boyd who said he already had plans to meet with council roads officials and Transport Scotland to discuss the issue.
"That area is one that is very busy and sometimes very fast, especially at times when children are going to and from school," he said.
"A lot of parking in the area also makes it difficult for drivers to see and negotiate things easily and it is definitely something where action is needed."
Transport Scotland said their own studies suggested there is "no one location" where significant numbers of pedestrians cross, so the case for a specific location for a crossing "would not be fully justified".
