Your views: Disappointed at Highland Council response to road safety worries
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A reader gives their thoughts on plans for an extended traffic island being installed on a busy city road.
Since moving to Brinckman Terrace three years ago I have spent a considerable amount of time communicating, initially with the police and roads departments, but more so with the four councillors responsible for this area.
My reasons were to raise the concerns I had about crossing the B9006 (Culloden Road) near to Brinckman/ Cradlehall bus stops.
This road is very fast, busy and intimidating.
Although communication with the council was difficult and feedback slow it’s safe to say most would agree that, ideally, a pelican crossing is needed.
Over 100 residents signed a petition to that effect.
Since that time the Brinckman/ Cradlehall Action Group has been formed, and recently invited the four councillors in this ward, and a representative from the road safety department, to a site meeting to get clarification of the plans they had for the site.
Twenty-five members of the community attended, but only one councillor, out of the four responsible for this ward and, sadly, not even an acknowledgement from the roads safety department.
Much to our amazement, without consulting or reporting back to the residents, a decision has been made by the roads safety department and councillors to instal 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+mph.
No room for pushcairs, wheelchairs, dog walkers or parents with young children.
The community considers this to be a waste of public funds and would ask that this absurd and unsuitable scheme be abandoned in favour of a pelican crossing.
This could be installed at the existing refuge crossing, electricity already being in situ with good visibility.
It seems that the people who have daily contact with this road, to access buses, pharmacy, bakery, Indian restaurant, Co-op, school and play parks don’t exist in the eyes of the planners.
There is no “safe route to school”.
We are very disappointed as this is a road safety issue and no one from that department was able to attend the meeting.
If the council can afford to spend vast amounts of money on creating chaos in the town centre by changing the traffic flow, then surely there may be justification in spending a lot less on protecting lives on the B9006.
Bernard Ewing
Brinckman/ Cradlehall Action Group
Related article: Residents slam plans for an expanded crossing
