It appears Highland Council is doubling down on their plans to block Academy Street to cars. They seem intent on ignoring businesses and the public who express opposition to closing off a major route into and through the city.

The idea is that drivers could access either end of the road, but not drive up or down it. Planners appear disinterested in the fact that the trips on Academy Street would not simply disappear but would mostly be shifted to going through the Crown area or the Longman.

A trip from Dalneigh to Morrisons would take about twice as long if Academy Street was blocked off. Would the shopper spend that extra time, using more fuel and putting out more pollution, or would they stop using Inverness businesses altogether and buy online? A move to online purchases would cost local jobs and increase delivery traffic.

The council seems dazzled by the prospect of accessing funding and spending millions but ignore the damage their plans would cause. They hold out the carrot of adding “mitigation” to reduce problems of traffic in the Crown and Longman areas. Would their ultimate aim be that a trip from Dalneigh to Morrisons would be directed round via Beauly?

Will city councillors follow what council officers propose, at their meeting of 28th August, or will they listen to residents and businesses?

Please make contact with councillors on the Inverness City committee to express your wish that Academy Street be opened up, not closed down. Follow this link  Councillors by Ward | The Highland Council   to get contact details.