YOUR VIEWS: Inverness gull problems discussed, further vandalism on city hire bikes and proposals for hundreds more homes by the River Ness
City gull problem looked at by Highland Council
Highland councillors have raised their concerns over failings of the gull management programme in Inverness. A change to the licensing for gull removal from NatureScot in February created stricter criteria for removal, delaying the programme. Problems have since arisen as approval for a licence can take up to four weeks, despite hatched eggs having an incubation period as low as three weeks.
“About time! Can’t understand why they are a protected species. My current neighbour and previous neighbour both feed the gulls and then they cause damage to mine and surrounding properties. Children at the local school were swooped at last term as a seagulls laid an egg in the playground and it could be be moved.” - Pauline Bass
“They are huge and noisy. I was brought up in the south coast and we had a saying that if a seagull was in town (away from the sea) then it would be a stormy day. The best thing to avoid being swooped down on is to use an umbrella... failing that a gun?” - Emma MacDowell
“The problem seems to be the councillors. They forget they are there as our representatives not there to appease paid officers who seem to have an agenda!” - David M Edes
“This is a problem and it’s not going to go away. Get it sorted now.” - Richard Paxton
“Gulls are not the problem. People who feed them and leave food waste out are the problem.” - Hugh Cameron
“A terrible problem, I can't understand why they are protected.” - Clare Campbell
“The roads full of potholes and a general unkempt look is more of a problem. My husband works in the tourist business and judging by remarks quite a few are appalled at the state of Inverness.” - Jan Duncan
“Jan Duncan, couldn’t agree more. I have a guest house and several tourists have said the town looks untidy, terrible roads and drains full of weeds! Nothing I couldn’t agree with! Not our usual lovely looking town welcoming tourists. Seagulls are also an issue but maybe prioritise with funds available!” - Andrea Skinner
“Yes they are dangerous. Make paths in Wyvis Place unusable to get into your house when they have eggs and babies. Attacking people drawing blood.” - Karen Shane
“I live near the canal and am woken by them every ‘morning’ just before dawn! Summer months are literally torture.” - Tabitha Ramsden
“Of course seagulls are a problem. Have been for years and will continue to be. The council have to look at every available option. to get the number of flying rats, to a low as number as possible.” - Alistair Macfarlane
“Where I work in nesting season you have to go from the building to the car with an umbrella. They attack you.” - Hugh Morgan
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Hi-Bike scheme suffers new damages
Inverness bike sharing scheme Hi-Bikes continues to suffer vandalism after a city centre docking station was damaged. The new addition at Highland Council’s headquarters was found with damages to one of the docking systems as well as to one of the parked bikes. The station at Hilton has been temporarily closed due to a spike in vandalism, and will reopen only when CCTV is installed nearby.
“If I had done anything like that when I was a teenager, it's not the police I would have been scared off its my parents.” - Amy Packness
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Clearly the bikes need to be in some kind of shelter, be that individually or together and in order to access it you must pay before it will unlock. Then the bike can only be accessed by people paying. A camera on the shelter to screen shot the persons face would also need to be considered. These feral kids won’t be keen to pay to vandalise things.” - Lara MC
“Hope they got caught and they or the parents forced to repay the damage.” - James McLellan
“Shocking. The bikes need to be located within a staffed building, where people have to purchase tickets from a member of staff. Old school style!” - Helen Robertson
Plans for 381 new homes by River Ness take a step forward
Ness Valley Leisure is proposing the development "and associated infrastructure and open space" on land at Ness-side. Their proposals suggest the creation of 381 homes in a mix of tenures and types on a sitesouthwest of Lochardil adjacent to a site currently being developed by Tulloch Homes.
“Raigmore hospital isn't fit for purpose as is...... schools? Doctors? Dentists? Transport?” - Joni Phippin
“How about investing in a new hospital to accommodate the over crowded population in the area! There is no space in schools, GP practises or dentists yet they want to build houses that will not be for social housing but for sale that most can't afford!!! Whoever is in charge needs to give themselves a wobble!!” - Laura Williamson
“The building companies should not be allowed to build more houses unless they build additional shops, doctors and dentist units in the same area. These large areas that are being built on could build a new hospital!!” - Kelly Howley
“Why not make the roads more capable for that amount of traffic first? Just a thought….” - Callum Hughes
“Planning shouldn't be allowing this without the plans of, doctors, dentist, schools being out in place at the same time!!!! Highland Council can't afford the up keep in the infrastructure that they are currently responsible for.” - Pam Nicoll Lowrie
“Any more hospitals coming? Schools?? No… didn’t think so. Another increase in population to the town, how many is that now in the last five years…?” - Elly Russell
“Roads can’t cope as it is. Needing more jobs, nurseries, primary and secondary schools, GP surgeries, pharmacies, dentists, an extension to the hospital/ bigger hospital, mental health services and lots more. Constantly building but not supplying the facilities to go along with these houses. Everywhere is bursting at the seams but nothing else gets taken into the equation unless it’s a new hotel.” - Louise Vanzetta
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