Views
United in sustaining bypass pressure - for the Inverness Courier
LAST Monday's forum on the Inverness bypass demonstrated very clearly the unity of purpose that exists in our city to get the crucial route completed.
I am very grateful that so many people responded to my invitation to take part, particularly for the positive contributions from Dave Thompson MSP and Mary Scanlon MSP.
There were also strong contributions from a number of community councillors, councillors, local business-people, and concerned members of the community, as well as from the editor of this newspaper. No-one who attended the meeting can be in any doubt whatsoever that our city is united in seeing the completion of the bypass as a top priority. That in itself is a very powerful message to send.
The meeting re-affirmed the many reasons why we believe the bypass to be so important. There is a very strong economic development argument, as it would open up new areas of land for the economic development that we hope will continue once the economy gets properly out of recession.
But more important are the arguments about road safety and tackling congestion. One person at the meeting observed that trying to get across the city can take half-an-hour or even longer at busy times. Much of this traffic is trying to connect from one trunk road to the other - taking that out of the equation with a bypass would relieve congestion, and allow faster bus connections too.
But even with such a strong case, there is real frustration that we have not so far persuaded the powers that be in government that this should have central funds committed to it - and without those central funds, completing the bypass simply will not be possible.
Some positive steps were reported to the meeting. Highland Council and the Scottish Government have a working group that is looking at the issue. The Scottish Government has committed to completing the east end of the link, though there is rightly real frustration in the communities affected that there has been little consultation with them about the precise route.
It would be very helpful, I believe, if the Scottish Government could be persuaded to treat the east and west ends of the bypass as one project in design terms, so that there is one consistent plan, albeit which would be delivered in stages.
And with reports that the main priority for Scottish transport spending until 2016 will be a new crossing of the River Forth, continued lobbying will be needed to ensure that work is completed by then. I would like to see the Scottish Government given additional borrowing powers, which would give it the ability to fund additional much-needed works now.
What are the next steps? Firstly, there was strong agreement at the meeting to the suggestion - from Dave Thompson - that there should be a way for wider community input to be made into the working group between the council and the government that is looking at the issue.
Secondly, we need to find a way to campaign together in a united way on the issue. Whatever ways in which national politics may influence this within parliament, we locally need to remember that the local community is completely united. And of course we have to be persistent. If we keep campaigning on this issue, then government certainly cannot forget about us.
WELLINGTON LAYBY
It is very sad indeed to see the Wellington layby on Loch Ness-side now entirely closed off to visitors.
The layby is one of the best vantage points on the loch, and one of the few places on the north side where there is access down to the shore. Importantly, it is one of very few places along the A82 where coach operators can stop to allow their customers to appreciate the loch itself.
Last summer, when barriers appeared blocking off two-thirds of the space due to subsidence fears, I took this matter up with the trunk road authorities. It is frustrating to report a year later that, not only has action not begun, but the remaining central section of the view-point has also been deemed unsafe and closed.
There has been a lot of effort over recent years, especially by businesses all around Loch Ness, to make sure we do more to present the best of its worldwide significance and fame to visitors.
It is depressing that the roads authorities are letting the side down so badly.
I will keep working to get this resolved quickly, because there is a real fear that, without concerted pressure, the loss of the layby - with its striking views, and its interesting wartime story (from which it takes its name) - becomes a long-running saga.
I hope, too, that we might go further than just reinstate what there was before. It has always seemed to me that roadside stopping places in the Highlands are a missed opportunity where good quality visitor information is concerned. If we can just get Transport Scotland to work with tourism agencies and local businesses, perhaps we could improve the situation to the advantage of everyone.
Posted on: 23/02/2010
