Inverness Eastgate food court plans plus cycling rules and Highland powerline plans
Halt must be called to pylons expansion
The news that SSEN have already announced contract partners to great fanfare for projects that as yet have not gone in for planning begs the question: do they know something affected communities don't?
SSEN have said that the Brush group will be the contractor for Caithness. Although based in Loughborough, England they recently acquired Mcgowen who are Aviemore-based, hence they can claim it's local employment!
According to the blurb put out by Brush, and I quote: "Mcgowen has impressive environmental credentials which adds a new dimension to our engineering capabilities.”
This begs another question: what would these amazing credentials be that they can concrete massive slabs of concrete into peatlands and put tracks all over where curlews nest and pylons on flight paths of migrating geese without causing any environmental damage?
This is an environmental and human disaster on a unprecedented scale, a halt must be called.
Full costings of all options must be made available and communities’ voices must be heard.
Scotland produces way more renewable energy than it needs. Why are we destroying more of its iconic landscape and fragile ecosystems to line the pockets of a few individuals and feed the egos of those in Holyrood?
Name and address supplied
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Cyclists should stick to the roads for good of pedestrians
A good and relevant article (Dangerous Inverness streets) that not only highlights the problems that Stuart faces but, I feel sure, would be reinforced by all those who regularly use pavements.
I cannot imagine what went through the minds of those who changed the law, thus allowing cyclists to share pavements!
As an ex-serviceman who had a number of postings in Germany, I got used to sharing well signed and much wider pavements than the UK’s.
Our narrow pavements do not lend themselves to such "sharing", with minimum signs that seem to grant the right of cyclists to treat every pavement as shared!
There seems to be no law insisting a bell/horn is fitted, meaning especially those with failing eyesight/hearing often know nothing of an approaching bicycle, particularly if coming from behind.
Although a car owner, I minimise its use if I can walk or take a bus, but walking is far less enjoyable than in yesteryear because of the aforesaid.
As the Highway Code was recently amended to force motorists to give a minimal clearance when overtaking, why is it so wrong to ask cyclists to return to the road, as they are basically a vehicle and capable of harm.
They do not even need insurance, unlike a car, so a claim for injury complicates! And where do e-bikes stand on this sharing?
Duncan Mason
Nairn
Firm to create dozens of jobs at Eastgate Shopping Centre
Up to 25 new jobs will be created by the new-look Eastgate Shopping Centre food court which could be open before the end of this summer. Work is under way on changes that are designed to make it a go-to destination when people are looking for somewhere to eat in the city centre. Scott Murray, chief executive of Cru Hospitality, which operates a variety of city centre venues, outlined how the company is currently looking at different ways of developing the space.
“Needs to appeal to local people, not just be aimed at tourism.” - Aimee Williamson
“Aimee Williamson, spot on and wish they'd bring back the perennial favourites as they were always busy.” - Sheila Mitchell
“Was in Aberdeen train station yesterday, and I was taken aback by all the amazing shops downstairs and all the fantastic restaurants upstairs, something for everyone, including a cinema, it was so clean and welcoming, can't see why Inverness can't follow them.” - Janet Robertson
“Somewhere you can order at a counter and not via an app.” - Fiona Dodds
“You should go to the Metro Centre in Gateshead if you want to see a shopping centre with a serious number of empty shops. This isn’t just an Inverness problem.” - Simon Campbell
“Something like Bonnie & Wild in Edinburgh St James quarter would be perfect.” - Linda Howell
“Anything like this has got to be good for both the Eastgate centre and our city. If there’s more footfall in the centre then it may help to see more shops opening. I’m sure this company has done their homework and are willing to give it a try. Try offering some support rather than the negative doomed to fail attitude which is so common these days.” - Sandy Macleod
“This is doomed to fail. Because Eastgate is failing. The food court is in the wrong place, should never be where it is situated.” - Calum Smillie
“Anything but the hospital food court look and feel.” - Donald Maclennan
“Sounds exciting. Looking forward to trying it out.” - Rachael Snody Scott
“If anyone can do it Scott can, can't wait to see what he comes up with - all the best Scott and team.” - Louise Innes
“If there was a good reason to go into the Eastgate then this could possibly work but a lack of good shops in there just doesn’t bring in the footfall needed.” - Jan Duncan
“I second the St James Quarter vibe! Food and activities for all the family.” - Kate Gray-Arrow
“An awful lot of shopping centres have many empty units now for a number of reasons - online shopping, cost of parking, lack of shops to actually visit! Eastgate has been on a downwards spiral with stores leaving and not being replaced. I wish Scott all the very best, I really do, but the city needs to attract businesses to fill the empty spaces before the footfall increases again.” - Mar Jar
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