YOUR VIEWS: Highland public transport challenges, planning system for energy projects and A9 dualling controversy

Sort public transport before targeting motorists

On the face of it, reducing emissions in Inverness has great appeal. Yet, current plans for Academy Street do not account enough for people in rural areas who already face a lack of frequent or available public transport, alongside high fuel and car maintenance costs.

With the decline of bus routes and local stores, those living in rural areas have faced with ever limiting options over the past few decades.

So surely there's no point adding to the misery without adequate support?

For too long private operators of bus routes have been able to focus on running services based upon profitable routes and timings alone.

Additionally, rural areas with empty shop fronts with long-closed food and general stores need support rather than further costs when they enter Inverness to replenish their stocks.

James Rorison

Skye Court

Inverness

No end in sight for city centre struggles

I found my crystal ball in the back of the cupboard recently and dusted it off.

I think it still works as it told me that the Academy Street debacle will run and run until it becomes a low emission zone and the council will be able to charge pedestrians who dare to breathe carbon dioxide along the length of the empty street.

It also foretold that the Eastgate Centre will close due to lack of footfall and that even the charity shops will vanish.

Of course I don't really need a crystal ball to predict that Highland Council is to become the laughing stock of Scotland.

Years ago some elderly friends on a coach tour were told they would only have two hours in Inverness because "there was nothing to see or do".

We met them for a cup of tea and they sped off happily to their next stop.

What have we done to deserve being treated so shabbily?

Second rate doesn't really describe Highland Council.

Sue Hood

Stuart street

Ardersier

System should be made more public-friendly

What planet is the Convener of Highland Council orbiting if he thinks it is appropriate to shut down debate and block local democracy on the serious issue of massive electrical infrastructure and renewable energy projects and also publicly criticise the brave councillor who dared to bring a motion, supported across the parties, speaking up for her constituents?

Cllr Helen Crawford brings a beacon of light to thousands across rural Scotland – not just here in the Highlands. She deserves our appreciation not a crass put down by the head of the local authority.

Ever since SSEN’s bombshell proposals in spring 2023 communities have been reeling from: the tsunami of developments put forward; woefully inadequate public consultations; indecent haste of proposals; massively increased scale of substations; salami slicing of applications and the flood of new battery storage units.

This piecemeal approach is not only immoral it is confusing and stressful for those expected to live in the shadow of this industrial onslaught.

Communities need a just planning system that allows fully funded scrutiny of major developments by independent experts. All too often rural citizens have to spend hours of their own time and thousands of their own pounds just trying to understand complex planning applications and striving for a fair deal in the planning process.

Highlanders have had enough. Many are distressed as they fear devalued homes and being trapped where they no longer want to live. They cannot escape from this disproportionate industrialisation even if they wanted to. Some report mental health issues as the seemingly unstoppable Big Energy juggernaut thunders through their communities.

They feel their elected representatives have abandoned them and thrown them under Big Energy’s gravy train.

Rural Scotland is being colonised by Big Energy and it would appear that the strategy is to keep communities in the dark as to the extent of the industrialisation that is coming at them so that they are ill-prepared when planning applications go in.

They see that SSE and SSEN have not had a refusal by the Scottish Government for at least 15 years and wonder who is calling the shots in Holyrood.

It is time we were given the information and the assistance we need to protect not only where we live but our businesses and natural world from unnecessary and further major development before it is just too late.

Lyndsey Ward

Spokeswoman for Communities B4 Power Companies

Beauly

Greens slammed as ‘morally corrupt’ after A9 dualling claims

New figures for the A9 showed how single carriageway sections are less safe for drivers than those that are dualled. Detailing injuries and fatalities from 2020 to 2023, Transport Scotland said there had been199 injuries and 15 deaths on single carriageway sections over the period, compared to 114 injuries and seven deaths on dualled parts. There was outrage over a comment by Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman who said in Holyrood that “road building is a subsidy for wealthy, usually white men”.

“This is very offensive and shows complete misunderstanding of the whole situation in the north. These roads need upgraded. There is no question.” - Jenny Bear

“What is it about the Green Party that makes it a depository for every other complete roaster under the sun? Back in the day, we just had to make do with Willie Bell and Granville.” - Charles Bannerman

“What an embarrassment and shame on her. She almost makes Lorna Slater look competent.” - Alison Savage

“Silly and ignorant statement to make!” - Joan Mackenzie

Letters should be submitted to newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk. Please include your address and a daytime contact number. You can also tweet us: @InvCourier or leave a comment on Facebook @invernesscourier

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