YOUR VIEWS: A9 dualling woes, major Inverness housing plans and city car park anger
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Readers on the subjects that have been exercising them this week.
Still waiting for A9 dualling timetable
Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing, in his latest column in The Inverness Courier, spoke about the continued wait for a new timetable on A9 dualling to be outlined by the Scottish Government. There was also unhappiness from readers about a refusal by Transport Scotland to reveal more about discussions around the dualling programme by way of a Freedom of Information request made by the Courier.
“He isn’t standing for re-election at the next election, so he can say whatever without consequence; also, he is trying to make a name for himself locally as ‘standing up for the A9’ to make sure he gets plenty of after-dinner speaking gigs in retirement.” – Glen Wallace
“He is trying to raise his profile before he stands as an Independent candidate. He’s had enough with the SNP policy of shooting itself in the foot.” – Gerry Reynolds
“Maybe he is a genuine guy who is sick of broken promises.” – Audrey Whitfield
“Why his sudden interest in the roads? He’s had over 15 years in government office to do something about it!?” – Jane Anderson
“Let’s get the railway dual track and then stick all the freight on the train, reinstate the motor rail and more trains – give people a real alternate to the car...” – Andrew Thompson
“Ten years ago I was assured by a senior engineer working on the A9 project that it wouldn’t come close to being delivered on time if at all (citing lack of qualified workforce). Very late in the game for anyone in Holyrood to be bleating about as it was hardly secret knowledge, embarrassing really.” – Fergus Ward, Inverness
“Disgusted at the treatment of the Scottish people at the dualling of the A9. Why and who is to blame? I’ve heard and seen excuses. It’s not good enough. Pitiful.” – Peter Gibson, Dundee
“This is arrogance in the extreme. These people at Transport Scotland are public servants, their salary and pensions are paid for by the Scottish public, many of whom use the roads on a daily basis. At the next election time I just hope every voter remembers what our public servants think of them. It’s time government ministers who control the civil servants are shown the door. For far too long Scottish taxpayers have been under-served by low calibre SNP ministers.” – David Fraser, Dingwall
Plans unveiled for another city housing estate
Plans for around 350 homes near the River Ness are set to be lodged soon. Ness Valley Leisure is eyeing up the development “and associated infrastructure and open space” on land at Ness-side.
“We are managing to have more houses for more people, yet has anyone even considered that Raigmore Hospital, doctor’s surgeries, dentists etc can’t cope with the population we have already in the Highlands? Why make it bigger if we can’t provide for what we have already?” – Leigh Riggs
“Jeezo, there ain’t going to be no greenery in Inverness and surrounding area soon. Look out for more flooding.” – Pamela Holmes
“More houses. Inverness is nothing but houses, not the place it once was.” – Sue Marsden
“I would like to see more being put back into the community like more shops, better public facilities etc rather than yet more houses. Inverness is turning into a massive housing estate.” – Kirstin Rattray
“I’d say over-run hospital and doctor surgeries should be taken into account before homing more people here. The council and developers need to take some responsibility if they want to expand.” – Robin Todd
“I was at the meeting showing the plans for these homes. This new scheme is going to be completely self-sufficient, meaning you don’t need to go anywhere else, the infrastructure will not be sufficient for the amount of cars on that road, these small ‘towns’ will be popping up all over our towns and cities, this is the start of the 15-20-minute cities.” – Nan Beveridge
“Wonder how many new homes would be needed if they removed the buy-to-let and AirBnB market.” – Gregor Hay
“Inverness population continues to expand exponentially...where is everyone coming from? and where are they working? Inverness has no significant industry, engineering or manufacturing output.” – Jane Anderson
Drivers see red over city centre car park
A growing number of drivers have been complaining about receiving fines after parking in the Rose Street retail park car park in Inverness city centre – even though ticket machines there have apparently not been working properly.
“I got two different parking fines. Although I have proof I paid, they say it’s not proof. Won’t park there again.” – Yla Haren
“Stopped going to the shops in this retail park since the car park changed, now shop elsewhere and online…” – Donald Cameron
“Love Home Bargains and Iceland. Never go there, car parking is a nightmare. Either machines are broken, or have to pay by app, Nexus. Don’t have this, don’t want it. Why should it have to be so difficult?” – Noreen Stewart
“Thank you The Inverness Courier for taking up this story. I’m concerned for those who do not have appropriate mobile, to use the app. Discrimination to older people digital exclusion.” – Isabelle Mackenzie
Letters should be submitted to newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk. Please include your address and a daytime contact number. You can also tweet us: @InvCourier or leave a comment on Facebook @invernesscourier
