Highland trains holding back shift from cars? And business groups join forces on calls for A96 improvement
Public transport has to be improved
We hear a lot as councillors about modal shift, a fancy term for getting people out of cars and onto public transport, like trains.
In theory, it's cheaper, is better for the environment, and makes our roads safer and quieter for those who can't use public transport. In combination with dualling the A9 and A96, it could make a massive difference to safety on our roads.
However, in practice, I write from a train going to Aberdeen. The seat reservation system has broken, the carriage hasn't been cleaned between journeys, the disabled seating area has been cordoned off, there's no onboard catering, most seats don't have power sockets, and the WiFi is so patchy as to be unusable.
Until Scotrail improve the service they offer the people of Inverness, we'll never get cars off the roads and never make our roads as safe as they could be.
Councillors from all parties asked for better investment in trains at our last meeting; I hope Scotrail can offer us a plan for how they'll achieve this.
David Gregg
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Inverness Millburn
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Chambers raise voices over A96
Inverness Chamber of Commerce and Moray Chamber of Commerce have jointly written to SNP transport secretary Fiona Hyslop calling for her to release a definitive timetable for the dualling of the A96. The chambers argue that continued delays - it was recently revealed it could be another year before any timetable for works is organised - are causing “economic constraint”, increasing congestion, and jeopardising safety.
“Nairn BID fully supports the Inverness Chamber of Commerce and Moray Chamber of Commerce in their drive to get a clear timetable for the full dualling of the A96. Like many businesses across the A96 corridor our members and residents are frustrated at the delays and we need answers now. It has been clear for many years that the residents and businesses of Nairn are desperate for a bypass. Well done to the Courier for continuing to campaign and hold the authorities to account.” - Lucy Harding, Nairn Connects Business Improvement District manager
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