YOUR VIEWS: Inverness bowling alley plan, Highland 20mph limits, pavement parking and support over Christmas
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New bowling alley plans approved
It came down to the chair’s casting vote when members of Highland Council’s south planning applications committee split 6-6 for approving plans to turn the Everlast gym and Sports Direct store at Inverness Shopping Park into a new bowling alley and inflatables activity centre. Supporters of the gym had fought a hard campaign against the changes proposed by the building’s owners but planning officials said their arguments did not qualify as competent within existing rules and regulations for planning.
“There is a health crisis, an obesity crisis, strains on the NHS’s local and national funds and if the council wanted to build a gym and pool facility it would cost millions. Why not buy out this facility and run it as a council gym?” – Fash Stewart
“Surely it comes down to who will pay the lease price the owner wants?” – Jim Low
“And they advertised heavily about joining the GYM for months...I lost £400 when the GYM went bust during Covid and they wouldn’t even consider a discount when it reopened under a different company. Not even a 10 per cent discount and they wanted everyone to join while probably knowing the business wasn’t going to last. So what now for the memberships bought recently?” – Robert Macdonald
20mph limits continue to provoke debate
After the council announced a review of the new 20mph limits put in place in communities across the region – as part of a Scottish Government pilot scheme – people are continuing to share their views for and against.
“20mph zones on main arterial roads and trunk roads should be returned to previous speed limits. 20mph should only be in residential streets, outside schools and in town centres only. We have had no issues with 30mph for over 50 years. Why change now?” – Ewen D Cameron
“Ewan D Cameron, You’ve had no issue with 30mph because you’ve never been hit by a car doing 30mph and never known anyone who has. 20mph is fast enough. What’s the rush anyway. If you need to get to where you’re going on time just leave a wee bit earlier.” – Alan Roberts
Parking on the pavement now an offence
Drivers were warned this week that parking on the pavement has become an offence across Scotland, which could result in a fine of up to £100 for those breaching the rules.
“Why not just ban cars altogether and save Highland Council all the paperwork. Think of all the employees they could make redundant, they could save millions!!” – Anne MacTavish
“What about people blocking the roads then for the emergency services to get through, if you put two cars either side of a road on most streets they will get damaged or scratched. Can’t wait for all the claims for damages to start coming in.” – Catherine Gilchrist
“There’s no excuse for pavement parking. Roads are for cars, pavements are for people.” – Lorraine Mann
Help for those who are grieving this Christmas
Christmas can be challenging for many of us, but for families experiencing dying, death or bereavement it can often feel impossible.
People who are grieving may find the festive season particularly tough and emotionally draining, as that’s when we often miss our loved ones the most.
Many families may also be facing the last Christmas with a loved one or the first without them, and not know where to turn to help get them through the season.
Marie Curie is here for anyone with an illness they’re likely to die from, and those close to them.
Our free support line and webchat is open over the festive season, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, offering practical and emotional support on everything from symptom management and day-to-day care to financial information and bereavement support.
Our trained Support Line Officers are there if you need support or a listening ear, as well as our Telephone Companion service that offers regular calls at a time that suits you.
If your readers need support over Christmas and New Year, please encourage them to contact Marie Curie for free on 0800 090 2309. Alternatively, visit mariecurie.org.uk/support to chat online.
Matt Williams
Marie Curie associate director, information and support
Be kind to shop staff during the festive season
The run-up to Christmas is always a really busy time for retail workers, as shoppers can be stressed and things can boil over.
The timing of Christmas this year means that we anticipate especially busy stores the week before, culminating in what the retail industry has branded ‘Super Saturday’ on 23 December.
I want to gently ask your readers to remember that shopworkers are people too. They will be working really hard to make your shopping experience as enjoyable as possible and deserve respect.
Talking to our members who work in retail, I know that verbal abuse cuts deep. Many will go home after a shift upset about an unpleasant incident that took place at work that day and worried that it will happen to them again. That is why Usdaw, the shopworkers’ trade union, is asking customers to ‘Keep your Cool’, so that everyone can have a happier Christmas.
Paddy Lillis
General Secretary
Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw)
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