Riverside set to undergo major roads revamp
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PARTS of Inverness are set for major upheaval – including new 20mph speed limits – if Highland Council approves new traffic plans this week.
The Riverside Way Project proposals published in council papers comprise related initiatives covering an area from the city centre to the West Link Road and between the River Ness and Glenurquhart Road (A82).
The aim of the proposals, drawn up by local authority officers as well as multi-national engineering firm AECOM acting as consultants, is to improve access to the riverside area.
The project aims to make the area more accessible and safe for pedestrians and cyclists by cutting the speed limit, enhancing paths and establishing a one-way system in residential streets.
The elements that are likely to be most contentious are the introduction of the one-way system and the reduction of the speed limit to 20mph.
To allow for a footpath and cycle route to be constructed along Ness Walk – next to the river – a “radical approach” has been adopted of a one-way system from the Bishops Road junction all the way along to the corner of Bught Drive.
A report to Inverness councillors, co-authored by council transport planning manager Richard Gerring and High Life Highland’s outdoor facilities and events manager Andy MacLeod, stated: “Concern has been raised in relation to the passing of larger vehicles at narrow sections of Bught Road and Ness Walk.
“The desire to provide an enhanced active travel network route means that road space needs to be ‘allocated’ to cyclists travelling in the opposite direction.”
On top of that, the almost mile-long one-way system will be set at 20mph as will several miles of roads that snake through the Bught area towards the city centre. Ness Bank and Cavell Gardens – on the opposite side of the river – is also included in the proposed 20mph zone.
The zone includes a road near the park where motorist John Macdonald knocked down a four-year-old boy and drove off leaving the youngster seriously injured in July last year. Macdonald was later jailed for four months, banned from driving for a year and fined £400.
Statistics show several other accidents took place between January 2013 and July 2017 in the planned 20mph zone.
Regional MSP and long-time road safety campaigner David Stewart said winning public support is vital for the project.
“With such issues, I am always of the mind that key stakeholders and those directly affected should always be fully consulted on such matters and consideration given to any concerns raised before a final plan is put forward for approval,” he said.
“I have in the past been an advocate for wider footpaths to better accommodate cyclists and pedestrians and I have also suggested that the surfaces be painted a set colour to inform those utilising them of their primary use.”
He added: “With regards to the 20mph speed restriction proposed for the Bught Park area, this makes total sense to me since this area is well utilised for sporting and recreational purposes by many people and will make the surrounding roads safer for all.”
