Dangerous Inverness streets: Police Scotland and Highland Council blamed by vulnerable kidney donor patient for spate of near-misses with cars and bicycles
A partially-sighted Inverness man is making a plea for urgent action to tame the city’s “dangerous streets” after a series of terrifying near-misses with traffic and bicycles.
Immuno-suppressed kidney donor patient Stuart Dow (50) believes it is “only a matter of time” before he or another vulnerable pedestrian – or a child – is killed.
Mr Dow, who has impaired vision resulting from a kidney transplant 30 years ago, says the scares and close shaves have left him feeling like a prisoner in his own home as he contemplates daunting daily journeys to shops, services and the hospital.
The Raigmore resident blames a lack of police action to deter bad driving on unsafe streets and at crossings.
Drivers ignoring red lights and driving onwards while the green man is flashing has been a particular problem.
He also blames Highland Council for what he described as a confusing “dog’s breakfast” of cycling lanes and pedestrian footpaths in and around Inverness which place him at risk from fast-moving cyclists.
Mr Dow, who lives in sheltered accommodation at Ashton Crescent, Inverness is convinced many local people with disabilities are living in fear.
The nature of his own transplant makes him vulnerable to kidney loss were he to be knocked over or struck by a vehicle.
Mr Dow said: “In and around Inverness, as a partially-sighted person trying to retain a kidney transplant, the situation is just awful.
“Given what I’ve experienced, it feels inevitable. I’m going to be run over. It is only a matter of time.”
Troubling hotspots for Mr Dow include the level crossing at Millburn roundabout and the cycle/pedestrian lanes along Millburn Road, heading into town
Mr Dow also shops at Inshes Retail Park and walks regularly to the hospital as part of ongoing medical care.
He stressed: “I’ve spoken to Police Scotland, to Highland Council, to Fergus Ewing’s office as well. I've had very little positive back.
“I think problems arise from a lack of hi-vis policing in Inverness, with absolutely no deterrence to the manner in which some local drivers and cyclists conduct themselves.
“If there is cycling on pavements, I can’t see them coming towards me until it is too late, yet cyclists tend to assume you can see them.
“Motorists are driving in a manner that is reckless. I’ve almost been run over several times, even at traffic lights and crossing under the green man.”
Mr Dow has twice attended the police station at Burnett Street police station to make complaints.
He said: “They have more police cars than officers. Police Scotland is nothing short of a disaster for the population of the Highlands and Islands;
“Whether or not it is lack of resourcing, there is a real dislocation caused by the centralisation of Police Scotland and the lack of officers on the beat, or patrolling in police cars.
“Even when I can steer clear of the roads, there is so much cycling on pavements. I used to be a cyclist before my health issues and I have sympathy for them, because there is a lack of simple painted lines, and clearly signed and segregated spaces.
“It is as much a danger for the cyclists as for pedestrians.
“My kidney transplant is in my lower left front abdomen. If I have an impact in the transplant area, I’ll be back on dialysis.
“I’m basically feeling imprisoned in my house. I'm scared of going out and doing my shopping. I am completely vulnerable, terrified if truth be told.
“And at the renal clinic, I encounter lots of other transplant patients who are visually impaired and they feel the same.
“It feels very different when I visit family in Edinburgh, where they seem to have all the proper resources.
“I worry it is only a matter of time, whether for me or another partially-sighted or clinically vulnerable person – or a child.”
A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "We take such matters very seriously and both divisional and specialist road policing patrols are regularly deployed in and around Inverness with the aim of reducing casualties and influencing driver and road user behaviour.
"I would encourage anyone to report any concerns to police in order that the information can be assessed and appropriately investigated."
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: “Highland Council is open to hearing from users about any concerns they have regarding walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure in and around Inverness.
“We try, where possible, to engage with the Inverness Access Panel on our projects and we very much value their input.
“We are currently reviewing the Millburn Active Travel corridor to understand infrastructure requirements and how to improve provision for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
“Some of the infrastructure referred to relates to measures established during the Covid pandemic and we accept that a further review may be required.
“We would be more than happy to meet with any individual or communities to discuss their concerns and can be contacted at activetravel@highland.gov.uk.”
Have you experienced similar issues to Mr Dow? Get in touch at a.fraser@hnmedia.co.uk
