Residents slam plans for an expanded crossing on a busy, fast and intimidating road saying what they really need is a Pelican Crossing as Councillor Andrew Jarvie asks 'what planet' the council lives on
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Highland Council is forging ahead with plans to install a larger pedestrian island on a busy city road, over the objections of residents who fear a fatal accident is only a matter of time.
Locals in the Brinckman Terrace and Cradlehall area of Inverness are up in arms over the lack of a proper pedestrian crossing on Culloden Road.
They say that they are often left stranded on one side of the road with up to 18,000 cars using the route every day.
Despite a campaign over several years and a petition signed by over 100 residents the local authority has refused to deliver a pelican crossing for the site.
A spokesman for the Brinckman-Cradlehall Action Group said: “It is safe to say all would agree that ideally a pelican crossing is needed.
“Much to our amazement, without consulting or reporting back to the residents, a decision had been made by the Roads Safety Department and councillors to install a pedestrian refuge crossing.
“This makes no sense at all as we already have one, which is considered not fit for purpose, as waiting on the island refuge leaves one feeling vulnerable and in danger as cars pass very close by, at 40-plus mph.
“If the council can afford to spend a huge amount of money on creating chaos in the city centre by changing the traffic flow, then surely there may be justification in spending a lot less in protecting lives on the B9006?”
Inverness South councillor Andrew Jarvie, the only local representative to attend a recent meeting with concerned residents, said: “The council has repeatedly refused to install a crossing, despite funding being available, because ‘there aren’t many children who live there.’
“What planet are they on? It’s not only children who cross roads.
“The council is going ahead and making a bigger pedestrian refuge in the middle of the road but only told councillors after they awarded the contract.
“It solves nothing – who wants to stand in the middle of the road with cars going past you on either side?
“It’s just asking for an accident to happen.”
