The Inverness Courier's Build The Bypass campaign wins national media award
A campaign to push for progress on the much-awaited Nairn Bypass development was the winner of a national journalism award.
The Inverness Courier’s Build the Bypass campaign was the winner of a Making a Difference Award for which it was shortlisted in the local news category.
It’s the second time that an Inverness Courier’s campaign wins the award, with the Dual the A9 campaign taking home the accolade last year.
Run as part of the News Media Association’s (NMA) Journalism Matters week, the award saw competition from across local and regional media outlets in the UK, with The Sun’s Footie For All Fund campaign taking home the national award.
NMA chief executive Owen Meredith said: “The Making a Difference shortlist this year has highlighted the exceptional dedication from UK news brands, who have worked tirelessly to inform and engage the public.
“The Inverness Courier and The Sun can take great pride in their achievements. Their campaigns, ‘Build the Bypass’ and ‘Footie For All Fund,’ serve as prime examples of how journalism can effectively spotlight critical issues, demonstrating to us all the vital role of trusted, independent journalism. My congratulations to you both!”
The Inverness Courier launched their campaign 'Build the Bypass' following long-standing concerns over traffic, road safety and pollution due to vehicles driving on the A96 through the town.
The campaign quickly gained traction, featuring in-depth interviews with residents, stakeholders and politicians.
A pivotal moment came in May 2024, when the Inverness Courier organised a Build the Bypass public event in Nairn attended by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop and leaders from Transport Scotland.
The Inverness Courier has remained unwavering in its commitment to the campaign, continuing to shine a light on the problems affecting their local community and maintaining pressure on government for progress.
Area leader Michael Green commented: “The failure to build the A96 Bypass is the single most important issue facing Nairn today.
“It is vital that this goes ahead and is completed in the next five years. I wholeheartedly support the Build the Bypass campaign and the great work done by its organisers and members.”
Nairn and Cawdor councillor Barbara Jarvie commented: “I absolutely support keeping the Nairn Bypass as a priority, especially as members of the public were told at the Courier Nairn Bypass event by Fiona Hyslop, that there was no reason for progress on the A9 to hold up progress on the A96, where both could advance simultaneously.
“However we are still awaiting the realistic timeline along with how much funding there is, and I assume, as in all solid plans, that the Scottish Government have surely been saving and ringfencing devolved funding wisely for both the A9 and A96 over the decades the public have been so patiently waiting.”
