Revised city map to boost greener ways of travelling

Active travel maps giving information for tourists and residents to plan safer routes around Inverness have been updated.

The map to the Highland capital is now online and has been reprinted.

Produced by Hitrans, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands, it highlights recommended cycle routes, bike shops, repair shops, bike hire, bike parking and transport hubs such as the railway station.

The updated map includes new cycling infrastructure linking the canal paths via the multimillion pound West Link bypass to the Southern Distributor road, and links between Beechwood, Inverness Campus, the Retail Park and Culloden.

Hitrans chairman Councillor Allan Henderson, said: “With the Highland Council declaring a climate and ecological emergency, there is much that each of us

“Ouraimisto provideapractical networkofhigh qualityroutes“

can do to help the Highlands reach the target of being carbon neutral by 2025.

“Transport accounts for 27% of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions so choosing to walk or cycle instead of taking the car for journeys under five miles has a positive impact on carbon emissions, air quality and traffic movements, making our streets more liveable.”

A similar map is being developed for Fort William.

Hitrans officer Vikki Trelfer is leading the production of active travel maps.

She said: “Our aim is to provide a practical network of high quality routes suitable for pedestrians and cyclists that provide convenient and safe access throughout the city, to and from the railway station, bus stops, major employment areas, local shopping areas, leisure/recreation centres, and hospitals.”

The free map is available in bike shops and workplaces around town, and a pdf version can be downloaded from the Hitrans website: www. hitrans.org.uk/hitravel