Rethink on Inverness city centre revamp
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COUNCIL officers are to go back to the drawing board amid concerns over an ambitious project which aims to transform a key area in Inverness city centre.
A bold vision including wider pavements and reduced traffic speeds in Academy Street was unveiled in November at the start of a public consultation.
The Accessing Inverness project aims to complement a £6 million upgrade of the rail station plus a revamp of the Victorian Market and involves HiTrans, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands, Highland Council and other organisations.
Although the project team wants to apply for Sustrans funding to take the project to the next stage, Inverness councillors have demanded further work, including an impact an assessment for people with disabilities.
It follows concerns that removing light and sound-controlled pedestrian crossings plus making the street and pavements the same level will pose dangers to visually impaired people.
Inverness Ness-side councillor Ron MacWilliam described the design and report presented to councillors as “flawed” and said something had to happen.
“Number one is making sure people who are least able to navigate their way around the streets of Inverness are considered in any design,” he said.
“I don’t think people who are blind or partially-sighted have been considered.”
Accessing Inverness team leader Fiona McInally stressed there was more work to be done but the deadline for the funding application was April 3.
She said the proposed design was outline only.
“It is not set in stone,” she said. “We are trying to get to a position we can get a solution and go forward.”
Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael said people had been asking for improvements for years and there was now an opportunity which must not be missed.
