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Playstreets in the Highlands?

by Emily Williams, Cycling Mayor of Inverness

Together with Crown Connects, I have been campaigning to get the Highland Council to set up a process that will allow local communities to hold playstreets – aiming to hold the first trial even in the Crown area of Inverness in September. Playstreets are where residents are granted a temporary road closure to allow their children to play out without having to worry about traffic.

For a wonderful example of what this could look like see this from Edinburgh: 

A wonderful example of what playstreets can look like

Giving Children the Freedom to Play

This used to be a normal part of everyday life (1), but as roads have become busier and cars have become bigger and faster, children have become less able to safely use the road just outside their house for play.  Closing the road for a short time, on a regular basis, gives children back this freedom (2)- encouraging energetic outdoor play in a semi supervised environment, giving them space right outside their front door to learn to ride a bike or play ball or whatever they want.

As well as this it gives a great opportunity for all residents to spend time outside their houses, hopefully growing some community connections (outdoor board games or just a chat over cup of tea with someone down the road you haven’t met before anyone?)

Making Progress

But we need the Highland Council to allow us to do this in a way that is accessible to all community groups. Currently we are trying to negotiate some hurdles to be allowed to implement our own traffic management rather than having to pay to have this done professionally, and to agree a position on what insurance is needed. We’ve been really grateful to have the support of local councillors David Gregg, Ian Brown, Kate Maclean and Michael Cameron. David asked a question in the most recent full council about this (side note, this is a excellent way to get a formal answer to a question from the council), which has committed the officers to investigating what is available in other places (3). We are still optimistic that we will be able to hold our pilot event and then use the learning from our experience to make this available to everyone across the highlands. 

Let us Know What you think!

So, let us know – would you be interested in holding a play street where you live if a simple process was available to you? If you are then let us know, and speak with your local councillors to encourage them to support this proposal. 

Notes

(1) https://playingout.net/why/the-problem/

(2) https://playingout.net/why/10-good-reasons/

(3) https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/4820/highland_council/attachment/81852

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Academy Street Proposals

Artists Impression of Academy Street Plans

The latest Academy Street proposals will be discussed and hopefully approved at the Inverness Area Committee on Monday 28th August 2023.

Background

After a long public consultation, with many feeling the original proposals were not ambitious enough – a proposal which took this feedback into account was approved by the council. However concerns were raised by BID that these plans had not been consulted on. The Highland council presented these plans at a stakeholder breakfast, which we attended on the 20th July. The next stage is for approval at the Inverness Area Committee on the 28th August.

Our Position

HCC are disappointed not to see a protected cycle lane as part of these proposals, but feel that the projected reduction in traffic along with reduced speeds will provide safer and more accessible cycling. We have written to The Highland Council with a letter of support, outlining our position.

More Information

Take Action

If you want to see these proposals go ahead you should:

  • Comment on Common Place
  • email your support to activetravel@highland.gov.uk
  • Contact your local Councillor to let them know you support the improvements
  • Contact councillors on the Inverness Area Committee* to ask them to approve the plans.

What Next?

Academy Street Timeline

The next stages are approval at the Inverness Area Committee of Highland Council and funding approval from Sustrans.

The City of Inverness Area Committee

The city of Inverness Area Committee is made up of 23 members from the wards covering Inverness, Culloden, Ardesier, Loch Ness and Aird. Full papers will be available 3 working days before.

  • Colin Aitken (Ward 19 – Inverness South)
  • Chris Ballance (Ward 12 – Aird and Loch Ness) Deputy Chair
  • Bill Boyd (Ward 13 – Inverness West)
  • Ian Brown (Ward 16 – Inverness Millburn) – Chair
  • Glynis Campbell Sinclair (Ward 17 – Culloden and Ardersier)
  • Michael Cameron (Ward 14 – Inverness Central)
  • Alasdair Christie (Ward 15 – Inverness Ness-side)
  • Helen Crawford (Ward 12 – Aird and Loch Ness)
  • David Fraser (Ward 12 – Aird and Loch Ness)
  • Ken Gowans (Ward 19 – Inverness South)
  • Alex Graham (Ward 13 – Inverness West)
  • David Gregg (Ward 16 – Inverness Millburn)
  • Jackie Hendry (Ward 15 – Inverness Ness-side)
  • Emma Knox (Ward 12 – Aird and Loch Ness)
  • Isabelle MacKenzie (Ward 16 – Inverness Millburn)
  • Ryan MacKintosh (Ward 13 – Inverness West)
  • Andrew MacKintosh (Ward 15 – Inverness Ness-side)
  • Kate MacLean (Ward 14 – Inverness Central)
  • Duncan Macpherson (Ward 19)
  • Bet McAllister (Ward 14 – Inverness Central)
  • Morven Reid (Ward 17 Culloden and Ardersier)
  • Trish Robertson (Ward 17 – Culloden and Ardersier)
  • Andrew Sinclair (Ward 19 – Inverness South)
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In Support of Academy Street Proposals

The Highland Cycle Campaign today wrote to the Highland Council in support of the Academy Street Proposals. Here is our letter:


We wish to write in support of the current proposals to redevelop Academy Street in Inverness and
reduce traffic levels through this important part of the city centre.

While we are disappointed there has been no segregated or protected cycle lanes incorporated into the
designs, we understand that there needs to be a balance struck, particularly in terms of allowing access
for public transport, business deliveries and emergency vehicles. We note that private vehicles will still be
allowed access to Academy Street, as well as Union Street and Queensgate, to access businesses in the
area, though with a bus lane to reduce the number of “non-stop” vehicles passing through.


We feel that the current proposals are a significant improvement on the status quo, and more beneficial
to the city centre than a simple “facelift” – in terms of improving what has been identified as one of the
most polluted streets in Scotland and making it part of a wider city centre area that people can spend
time in.


Reducing traffic levels by cutting out through traffic, while slowing traffic down through increased
provision of pedestrian crossings and other measures, will make Academy Street a more accessible place
for those travelling by bicycle, as well as those walking and wheeling.
We expect in the medium to longer term to see a reduction in traffic levels even in the surrounding areas,
based on evidence from Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and similar schemes elsewhere in the UK.
These suggest that the longer a scheme is in place, the bigger the impact it can have on people choosing
to travel by alternative (sustainable) means. Clearly this change will not happen overnight, but we believe
this type of scheme can help to reduce the need for shorter car journeys in and around the city –
something that is essential as Inverness continues to expand.

During the consultation, HCC committee member Brian MacKenzie had two proposals accepting: 1)
locating cycle parking (Sheffield stands) in various useful places, at street level rather than on the
footway; 2) leaving a permanently clear two-metre corridor along the building line (clear of advertising
boards, café furniture etc) to aid accessibility for pedestrians including mobility/sight impaired users.
We welcome these plans and look forward to seeing them progress to the next stage.

John Davidson
Convener, Highland Cycle Campaign

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Academy Street Stakeholder Breakfast

Artists Impression of Academy Street Plans

Thur 20th July 2023

HCC were invited to join a stakeholder breakfast this morning to hear about the latest plans for Academy Street, Inverness.

The event started with a short video along with presentations of the plans and the councils approach:

After the presentations there was some round table discussion from the stakeholders with feedback on the designs sought.

Where can I see the Plans?

” New visuals of the proposed design for Academy Street as well as a video about the project can be accessed at Common Place/Academy Street and Highland Council/AcademyStreet where comprehensive questions and answers about the proposal can also be viewed.”

How can I feedback?

You can feed back via the Common Place Portal or by emailing activetravel@highland.gov.uk

You may also copy your councillors in to your email

We’d also love to hear from you in the comments below, or email.

What’s The Timeline?

To progress to the next stage the project needs;

a) approval at the Inverness Area Committee on the 28th August,

b) and to be approved by Sustrans who are funding the project.

As yet there is no date for when the work will start.

Kidical Mass October

Our motto is “space for the next generation” and the purpose of this event is to get kids and adults excited about cycling and to improve confidence on the roads by riding in a safe, friendly and welcoming group of cyclists.

We want to give kids a physical presence and a voice in the public realm. We hope it will connect and encourage us all to consider making short journeys by bike, scooter or other active travel choice, rather than taking the car. A city that is safe and sustainable for kids is good for people of all ages.

We start from Bellfield park, with adult marshalls to help with traffic control and ride safety, finishing at the Archive Centre beside Whyn Park. This is a short route of just over 2.5km on the Riverside, with bikes, bike trailers, cargo bikes, bikes with stabilisers, scooters, wheelchairs, balance bikes and even the occasional unicycle! All are welcome. It is not a race, just a friendly group cycle. 

After the ride, we have home baking and kids activities the lawn outside the centre (including things like Face Painting, Smoothie bike, 42 Cycling’s ramps, Dr Bike Cycle Maintenance, Bike Security Register, the Bubble man and our Penny Farthing & Clown bikes to ride & play on).

Bring your wheels, wear bright colours and a smile!

Kidical Mass September

Our motto is “space for the next generation” and the purpose of this event is to get kids and adults excited about cycling and to improve confidence on the roads by riding in a safe, friendly and welcoming group of cyclists.

We want to give kids a physical presence and a voice in the public realm. We hope it will connect and encourage us all to consider making short journeys by bike, scooter or other active travel choice, rather than taking the car. A city that is safe and sustainable for kids is good for people of all ages.

We start from Bellfield park, with adult marshalls to help with traffic control and ride safety, finishing at the Archive Centre beside Whyn Park. This is a short route of just over 2.5km on the Riverside, with bikes, bike trailers, cargo bikes, bikes with stabilisers, scooters, wheelchairs, balance bikes and even the occasional unicycle! All are welcome. It is not a race, just a friendly group cycle. 

After the ride, we have home baking and kids activities the lawn outside the centre (including things like Face Painting, Smoothie bike, 42 Cycling’s ramps, Dr Bike Cycle Maintenance, Bike Security Register, the Bubble man and our Penny Farthing & Clown bikes to ride & play on).

Bring your wheels, wear bright colours and a smile!

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Scaniport Road Resurfaced

The popular cycle route along the Scaniport road between Inverness and Dores has had some resurfacing work done.

new road surface on the Scaniport Road.

The road had deteriorated very badly in recent years, making it more suited to mountain and gravel bikes than road bikes. Forming part of NCN78 the road offers a quiet alternative to the main road to Dores. The section past Kinchyle Farm in particular had was mostly pot-hole and mud.

A further section at the bottom of McBains Hill has also been resurfaced.

Critical Mass Inverness

Critical Mass Inverness

Join Critical Mass to call for better cycling in Inverness.  Enjoy a social ride around the streets to show our support for cycling and explore the existing infrastructure (or lack of)

Pace is slow and social, and you can leave or join when you like.

📍Meet up Falcon Square Inverness
🗓 3rd Thursday of every month
⏱ meet at 6pm (roll out 6:15)
🥛 Post ride social

Critical Mass Inverness – May

Critical Mass Inverness

Join Critical Mass to call for better cycling in Inverness.  Enjoy a social ride around the streets to show our support for cycling and explore the existing infrastructure (or lack of)

Pace is slow and social, and you can leave or join when you like.

📍Meet up Falcon Square Inverness
🗓 3rd Thursday of every month
⏱ meet at 6pm (roll out 6:15)
🥛 Post ride social

 

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Social distancing: now is the time for better infrastructure

There has never been a more important time to provide a safe city for all to get around, including those with disabilities.

The Highland Council has made some great initial suggestions for changes to Inverness roads and pavements to allow for safer walking, wheeling and cycling in the context of the Covid pandemic (click here to see proposals). We encourage the Council to enact these suggestions rapidly.

We believe that there are some additional vital changes to allow everyone to use roads more safely across the city. Help us by signing our petition by clicking here.

We are calling for the Highland Council to take the following actions:

– adopt a city-wide approach of “pavements free for pedestrians and wheelchair users, cyclists protected on the road”

– keep all pavements and cycle lanes clear of parked cars

– pedestrianise more central areas of Inverness

– establish a 20mph speed limit across the city

– implement and enforce exclusion zones to reduce cars near schools 

– reset traffic lights to prioritise pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists over cars

– segregate rather than paint cycleways

– allow clearly signed contraflow two-way cycling on one-way streets

– include schools and other key workplaces in the network (eg Royal Mail depot)

– establish continuous flow of safe cycle routes (eg review Raigmore/Culcabock area)

– develop a North – South axis similar to the East West route proposed

– develop safe cycle commuter approaches to the city from neighbouring areas

– introduce lower speeds on local commuter rural roads

– establish a public transport infrastructure that provides increased capacity for cycle carriage

– create Park and Ride/Cycle facilities on major commuter routes.

Making walking, wheeling and cycling a priority would demonstrate Highland Council’s commitment to their declaration of the Climate Change Emergency and will have profound positive effects on physical and mental well-being of our Highland Community.