Calls for crossing backed by MSP

A north politician is backing calls for a pedestrian crossing to be installed near a school at a busy A82 junction in Inverness.

Labour MSP David Stewart has urged the Scottish Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf, to intervene, saying roads agency Transport Scotland rejected the idea when approached on the issue earlier this year.

Lobbied by local residents, he wants a crossing added near Central Primary School and the council’s headquarters.

“The stretch of road from the council HQ to Planefield Road is extremely busy as I witnessed on a visit with Mr Patience and Ms Smith,” said Mr Stewart. “Although there’s a lollipop crossing near Planefield Road often

“The stretch of road is extremely busy”

the traffic doesn’t stop quickly when the lollipop person steps into the road and that causes concern.

“The traffic islands along Glenurquhart Road are not adequate.”

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “We installed six pedestrian islands along Glenurquhart Road between Bishop’s Road and Ballifeary Road in 2011 to assist those crossing the road. We are currently undertaking a wider study of the A82 trunk road between Longman roundabout and Tomnahurich Swingbridge. This will look at travel provision set in the context of the wider Inverness City Active Travel Network. We plan to complete the study this financial year and have already undertaken surveys and started to engage with stakeholders.”