Businessman Scott Murray slams Inverness committee over Academy Street
One leading business owner in Inverness city centre was left shocked by Highland Council's approval of the Academy Street plans
CruHoldings boss Scott Murray described the Inverness committee’s decision-making as “pretty eye-opening.”
On Monday, councillors agreed to progress plans cutting traffic access to the city centre by 75 per cent to the next stage including a road traffic order and an economic impact assessment – after the plans had largely been finalised.
Just a day later, the council announced the plans were to be put on hold after opposition members insisted the full council must rule on the proposals as they are "too important."
Many Inverness businesses have been rocked by the proposals with some already stating they will simply have to close down or move out of the city centre as they would no longer be viable.
Mr Murray was visibly shocked after the meeting when he was asked for his response to what he had just seen and heard.
He said: “I think it is disappointing that when the majority of members who are in charge of running the region are presented with an option to get a bit more clarity on the outcome of a pretty major public spending project, they chose to ignore it.
“What that does is cause concern, I would worry for any nation if the government acted in that way – I think that for me is pretty eye-opening.
“As business-owners, as traders we are no further forward, we are no clearer as to what the potential outcome – positive or negative – is going to be.
“And that was all we wanted, a bit of clarity, a bit of confidence so that what is being proposed would be beneficial.”