The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
MSP calls for road safety review
North Coast 500: Boost to tourism but residents complain of congestion on route
A North politician wants a summit to review safety on the popular North Coast 500 road circuit.
Scottish Labour transport spokesman David Stewart said he was responding to “divided opinion” about the initiative.
Speeding and congestion along the spectacular route have reportedly increased since it was branded as a tourist must-see.
To some, the “NC500” is a rival to the legendary Route 66 across the US.
Stretching 500 miles, it meanders around much of the Highlands taking in some of the world’s finest coastal and mountain scenery, partly on single track road.
The impact of the fledgling initiative on the north economy is indisputable, having attracted countless new visitors to the region.
While fully supportive, Mr Stewart believes it is time to take stock.
“While out visiting communities I’ ve heard positive and negative comments relating to the impact of this new route,” he said. “We have the massive influx of tourists, however some communities are frustrated at the long tail backs, congestion and road safety issues.”
Having majored at Holyrood on road safety for more than six years, he said some residents feel they are “impeded and unable to go about their day- to- day business” because of occasional “chronic congestion” on the route.
Mr Stewart is contacting council and tourism chiefs, the police and roads agencies to establish if a long term “strategic plan” is necessary to address the issues.
“We have a brilliant concept right on our doorstep that can really be developed in such a way that all in our scattered and rural communities can benefit from in so many ways,” he added.
No-one at the NC500 initiative could be contacted yesterday.
Its website features a section on road safety. It states that the NC500 “is not the Indy 500 (US race event), Le Mans 24-hour or Gumball Rally,” but “one of the top five coastal touring routes in the world”.
It adds: “Youwill be sharing it with the people whose lives and livelihoods depend on the roads in and around the NC500 as well as your fellow travellers, so make sure you know how to drive responsibly, safely and respectfully.”