YOUR VIEWS: Work on the A9, Inverness roundabout issue, a new Gaelic centre and a sacked ambulance worker
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A9 works must be managed to avoid disruption
Following on from the failed promises over the last 16 years to upgrade the A9 trunk road between Perth and Inverness comes four months of traffic disruption and delays due to work on a gas main.
A single carriageway section of the road near Dunkeld is reduced to a single lane with traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals. There is no alternative route that can be used as a diversion. As has been widely reported, this results in queues of traffic and long delays.
I have recently travelled from Inverness to the Glasgow area and back.
On my southbound journey early on Thursday evening (October 26) there was a queue over six miles in length. On my return at around lunchtime on Sunday (October 29) there were again significant delays. On both occasions there was no sign of work taking place on the gas main.
It would appear that road users are to accept delays at these works 24 hours a day and seven days a week until February.
Is it really possible that, in these circumstances, the contractor works only a 40-hour week between Monday and Friday?
If it is essential that the gas main must be laid in the carriageway, then it should have been possible for Transport Scotland to stipulate that the work should be done in overnight sessions with traffic flow not impeded between say 7am and 9pm.
It is hard to imagine a more striking example of how little regard politicians and their agencies based in the central belt give to those who live in the Highlands.
I find it impossible to imagine that any other community in Scotland would be subjected to such disruption.
George Rennie
Inverness
Are traffic lights too close to city roundabout?
Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has raised constituents’ concerns about traffic lights close to a busy Inverness roundabout. She has been contacted by a constituent about concerns that the lights are too close to the Telford Street roundabout in Inverness, close to the Aldi supermarket there, the main concern being that drivers concentrating on what is happening at the roundabout ahead may miss the lights. We ask readers if they agreed there is a problem.
“Yes both ends. Even if they were put further onto the bridge it would be better. Especially Aldi end.” – John Gladstone
“Same as Inshes Roundabout. Red light comes on and it’s gridlock at the roundabout.” – Richie Cameron
“No because how else are the many pedestrians that use this crossing meant to cross that road? Also gives a chance for traffic from Wells Street to get onto the roundabout.” – Anna Taylor
“Yes very much so , always very wary of going round there.” – Robert Gardiner
“They’ve been there for years and years, why greet about it now?” – Robert Lawrence Jr
“It seems to be policy to put traffic lights close to roundabouts and this also happens on the SDR/West Link. In some cases there, the pedestrian settings are too long other than the few minutes on either side of the school day and this causes serious tailbacks.” – Charles Bannerman
Gaelic centre could find home in church
A community-owned Gaelic language and cultural centre is to be created “for the benefit of future generations” at a historic church in the heart of Inverness. In a significant step towards realising the vision of campaigners, agreement has been reached in principle with the Church of Scotland for purchase of the East Church building in Academy Street. The charity Cultarlann Inbhir Nis has set up a crowdfunding appeal to help secure the purchase and running costs.
“Well done to everyone involved this is great for Inbhir Nis!” – Anisha Macdermid
“Should be the new music venue in town. Who the hell wants Gaelic promoted in a town which never spoke it?” – Willie Morrison
“Read our town’s history, Willie. Even the name Inverness is Gaelic (Inbhir Nis). Best news for our community in a long time.” – Eliza Mulholland
“Willie Morrison, are you seriously suggesting that Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, never spoke Gaelic – despite the fact 10 per cent of people here still speak it? Also, they funded this from the community – so people clearly want it.” – Alasdair Linc
Ambulance driver wins dismissal case
An ambulance driver sacked after acting in self defence when threatened by a drunk has won his case for unfair dismissal. Mark Harvie found himself in a “terrifying” situation when he took a patient to Raigmore Hospital. Subjected to repeated threats from a drunk man, he feared he was about to be head butted and struck him. He was sacked for gross misconduct by the Scottish Ambulance Service.
“Good he got justice in the end. But this is just a symptom of our soft touch society. Should be allowed to defend yourself against people but ultimately consequences only apply to decent people.” – Cameron Fraser
“His job should not be dangerous but sadly it can be. Hefty fines or jail time for anyone abusing or harming emergency workers must be the rule!” – Evelyn Urquhart
“He should be given his job back also.” – Mark Tommo Thompson
“We need to have a fairer system for the people we depend upon. Seem to think more of the drunks and druggies.” – Colline Mackiggan
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