Inverness traders give their views on pollution levels in Academy Street

After Friends of the Earth revealed Academy Street in Inverness is the fourth most polluted road in Scotland we spoke to local traders to get their views

Colin Lyon (50), owner of the street’s Craigdon Mountain Sports: "Traffic is getting clogged up going through the centre of town – it is a huge problem. It was no surprise to me that this is the fourth most polluted street in Scotland. Everybody should be looking for action on reducing pollution. Our staff get time to go out and enjoy the fresh air, but a lot of workers don’t. The plans I saw last year for Academy Street looked really good, but I’m not holding my breath. I would like to see greater calming and deterrence measures for traffic going through the centre when it doesn’t need to. A park and ride scheme would be ideal. When it was shut to traffic for a fire four or five years ago, Academy Street had a nice vibe for people walking around."

Paul Bowie (51), runs the Ness Music shop: "I’ve been here at this premises for two years now and it has always seemed quite busy with traffic. I can understand concerns over footfall if they take traffic out of the city centre. I see it more about getting eco-friendly, battery-powered cars on the road through government and council initiatives. The Scottish Government is pretty much leading the way with initiatives like renewables and eco-friendly transport.”

Victorian Market jeweller Willie Morrison (68): "Pedestrianisation works very well in other towns and cities, but it comes down to good parking and whether there will be free parking. If we can provide that, I see no reason why it wouldn’t work. They’ve talked for years of creating a zebra crossing from the market to the train station to make it safer for old folks. I’ve said to the council for years that they should green up the town with trees on every street, which is good for air quality and the environment – and good for people mentally and physically."

Esther Nelson has run the Ginger fashion store in the Victorian Market: "I’m supportive of any moves to reduce pollution but it is always a concern that people will not want to come to the city centre, particularly without adequate parking. It is hard enough for small businesses to compete with the retail park, where there is free-parking. Footfall has decreased in the city centre, but rents haven’t. They are not going to achieve anything until they sort the parking situation."

Zoltan Tanma (41) of the Extreme Tattoo parlour: "I’ve read about plans for redeveloping Academy Street and I am in two minds. It depends on how much good quality public transport they can provide as an alternative for drivers. These days, people are very car-orientated and reluctant to change their ways. Most of my clients, when they come to us, have to park at Rose Street for a price. It is cheaper than some places but far from ideal."

Hairdresser Paul Mulvaney (28): "We get a clear view of the problem every single day from the salon, with the sheer volume of traffic coming down Academy Street. It is worrying and not the kind of liveable, breathable environment you want for Inverness or associate with the Highlands. There has been publicity recently about electric buses in Glasgow, but I think Inverness has already paved the way for that – and I think that has to be the way forward."

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