YOUR VIEWS: Standing up for the Highlands, A9 dualling and the Nairn bypass

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Readers speak out on the things that matter to them.

We need an inquiry into energy plans

I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to all of the Highland Council planning committee members (North Planning and South Planning) who objected to SSEN’s proposed infrastructure on the Isle of Skye, and in doing so should legally be triggering a public local inquiry (PLI).

This is when SSEN can be cross-examined, and whether or not there is a’ need’ for the infrastructure can truly be established.

Unfortunately, there are concerns that protocol will not be followed and a PLI will not take place.

Some believe this is down to SSEN putting pressure on the Highland Council, and indeed the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit, to ignore the verdict and press on with what the multinational company says must happen across Scotland to reach ‘net zero’.

Despite numerous formal requests to SSEN for evidence that this infrastructure is required, the multinational, 75 per cent owned by SSE – the largest wind farm developer in Scotland – SSEN has refused to answer the questions accordingly and to prove need for all of this proposed infrastructure.

Perhaps some councillors are beginning to see this drive by BIG energy to develop mega pylons, super-substations, and more and more massive wind farms for what it really is – another BIG money spinner by BIG energy.

It is of the utmost importance that councillors demand of the Scottish government the PLI Skye deserves.

To not deliver this is the greatest slap to the public’s face.

It makes a mockery of local democracy, calls in to question the need for local councillors (if they are simply ignored by centralised government), and it deprives constituents the opportunity to defend their environment, their properties, their livelihoods, and their children’s future.

It is vital that Highland councillors continue to stand up for their constituents, make their voices heard by the Scottish government, and not be broken by the relentless pressure put on them by SSEN and all BIG energy companies.

Denise Davis

Communities B4 Power Companies

Kiltarlity

Thanks for shining a light on schools

Thanks to SNP leader of Highland Council Raymond Bremner, we have had a much more forensic examination of the infrastructure condition of Highlands schools.

It was always clear that in no way did the Highlands represent the national picture where “90 percent of schools” were in an “acceptable condition”.

James Rorison

Skye Court

Inverness

Debate continues over A9 dualling

A recent correspondent to this letters page laid out the benefits of A9 dualling from their point of view including better safety due to decreasing driver frustration in instances where they get stuck behind slower moving traffic, prompting further debate online about the perenially thorny issue of dualling – or lack thereof!

“Dual carriageway for the A9 could have already been completed if the Tories hadn’t voted against it in favour of the Edinburgh Tram system. Makes me laugh that you have Douglas Dross moaning about it not being completed. His party are responsible for it not being built.” – Ronald Johnston

“Ronald Johnston that’s an old argument, and one that you need to educate yourself on before making the comparison, the first mistake you made was blaming the Tories, when in actual fact you should have blamed Labour and the Lib Dems as they started the project which tied the Scotgov into completing the tram system, I’d suggest going and looking at it, but you could have blamed Labour again for not dualling it before the Scotgov was reformed....It will benefit us, but trucks should stay in one lane to allow cars to actually reach their speed limits which will stop frustration on the road.” – Allan Dubh-Shith

“Why oh why do we continue to have these stupid debates? For God’s sake just get on with it, the longer it’s put off the cost will just keep spiralling!” – Keith Alexander

“It is not in the central belt, so the SNP don’t know where it is, worse still they don’t care.” – Steve Wemyss

“Invest in the railways, get haulage off the road – what happened to Net Zero?” – Maureen Mcdonald-Cooke

“We can hardly get a pothole repaired never mind a complete dual carriageway.” – Hugh Morgan

“By the time it’s done it will be out of date. Should be future proofing by making it a motorway. All that space yet wasting all the money on a dual carriage way. What a disgrace, so backward thinking. The same applies to the A96. Scottish Government is a total joke.” – Mark Thom

Villages raise fears over bypass delay

Communities in Ardersier and Cawdor have added their voices to calls for progress on the long-planned Nairn Bypass, citing concerns about traffic using their villages as dangerous through-routes to avoid regular bottlenecks in the seaside town.

“Well done !Thank you for pushing onwards with pressure for both A9 &A96 both roads are desperately needed upgrading and should have been done years ago. Would transform the infrastructure for commuters, tourists and businesses.” – Nancy Mac

“The A96 encourages dangerous driving every Abn-Inverness trip provides examples. How can Inverness grow and prosper with such poor communications?Is the problem money, focus on voters in central belt or Greens in government?” – John Heap

Letters should be submitted to newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk. You cam also tweet us: @InvCourier or leave a comment on Facebook @invernesscourier

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