YOUR VIEWS: Slower speeds on Highland roads may mean higher fares and SNP divided on A9

Readers on the issues that have been exercising them this week.

An Inverness taxi driver recently raised concerns about the impact of the new 20mph limits placed on roads across the area. He believes slower speeds mean he can pick up fewer passengers per shift, making the profession less financially attractive and potentially leading to the need to increase charges.

“Well done that this taxi driver flagged up such issues. Over some time I have raised similar concerns with Highland Council and MSPs to no avail. This is a serious matter that requires the involvement of an investigative journalist. Road users deserve answers as we all pay road tax!” – Mike Zagorski, Invergordon

“Simple, all taxi vehicles should be electric, thus keeping costs down and not being affected by fluctuations in the oil market.” – Darroch, Inverness

“I’m very ill so I’ve been told to stop driving now. I’m totally dependent on taxis to get me to hospital (that’s if they’re not being used to take children to school) and back. The fares are actually very high as it is. I’ll need to ignore consultants and start driving again. I have no access to public transport as I cannot walk far enough to reach the far away bus stops.” – Jan McGuigan, Inverness

Fine words but still little action on dualling

A war of words erupted between SNP politicians after a resolution at their recent party conference affirmed their commitment to dualling the A9 and A96 but failed to acknowledge how they had missed the original deadline for work on the A9 or set out any further detail for progress. Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing believes his party must do better on the issue.

“The SNP seem more concerned about the fact the Tories can – rightly – bash them for not delivering on the dualling of the A9/A96 rather than the tragic loss of life that continues to occur on these roads as the years tick by and little to no progress is made. The project has been an abject failure and it’s high time the SNP get out of bed with the Greens and start to deliver on their promises for the people of Scotland. As a regular user of both the A9 and the A96, I long for the day I can enjoy a safe commute back home.” – Forbes Ingram, Elgin

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