{"id":3974,"date":"2018-09-20T12:16:15","date_gmt":"2018-09-20T11:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bl6.co.uk\/wordpress\/?p=3974"},"modified":"2018-09-19T23:31:40","modified_gmt":"2018-09-19T22:31:40","slug":"plans-to-improve-walking-and-cycling-along-the-a82-in-inverness-lack-ambition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bl6.co.uk\/wordpress\/2018\/09\/20\/plans-to-improve-walking-and-cycling-along-the-a82-in-inverness-lack-ambition\/","title":{"rendered":"Plans to improve walking and cycling along the A82 in Inverness lack ambition"},"content":{"rendered":"

I was delighted when I first heard that Bear Scotland was proposing to improve walking and cycling facilities along the A82 in Inverness, from the Longman roundabout to Tomnahurich Bridge. However, after visiting the public exhibition I was left deflated.<\/p>\n

The plans outlined showed little if any regard for the aims and ambitions of Transport Scotland – which Bear works on behalf of – and the Scottish Government. The visions for an active nation are great but we need to move away from these kind of dated proposals that essentially tinker around the edges of any real change to how we look at active travel.<\/p>\n

I’ve copied my response to the consultation below. You can read the proposals from Bear Scotland here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Response to Bear Scotland consultation \u2013 Walking and cycling improvements on A82 in Inverness<\/strong><\/p>\n

Combined footway\/cycleway<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Longman Industrial Estate is a major destination for workers from across the city and improvements to the cycle infrastructure between the city centre and this location have the potential to make a genuine difference to making active travel the natural choice for commuters from a range of areas across the city.<\/p>\n

However, the outlined proposals to \u201cimprove\u201d facilities for pedestrians and cyclists on the A82 in Inverness between the Longman roundabout and Tomnahurich bridge lack ambition and provide no evidence that they will \u201cencourage more people to cycle, improving health and reducing vehicular use\u201d.[i]<\/a><\/p>\n

Road space remains dedicated primarily to motorised transport and the proposals fail to address any of the barriers to active travel.<\/p>\n

The route would remain unsafe for children and vulnerable adults, who should be able to complete a journey across the city safely. This requires continuity and priority for pedestrians and cyclists at some of the city\u2019s busiest areas, particularly Harbour Road roundabout and Shore Street roundabout.<\/p>\n

The proposal to create a \u201ccombined footway\/cycleway\u201d (not an official designation) using the existing pavement with some minor adjustments such as dropped kerbs, tactile paving and islands on roundabout arms still means that it will be difficult and dangerous to cross, especially at busy times \u2013 the kind of times when commuters tend to travel.<\/p>\n

This kind of upgrading will not have any impact on modal share because it continues to give precedence to motor traffic over active travel.<\/p>\n

The proposals lack ambition and fail to live up to the standards set by the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, Highland Council and \u2013 more importantly \u2013 the people of Inverness. Elsewhere in the city we have called for better facilities for active travel and these are being developed.<\/p>\n

This outdated shared-use path on a strategic route in Inverness will set back ambitions to make Inverness Scotland\u2019s Cycling City and a City Fit For The Future.<\/p>\n

It is even contrary to Transport Scotland\u2019s own aims:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Scottish Government is committed to building an \u2018Active Nation\u2019 by making our towns and cities friendlier, safer and more accessible. Our funding of active travel projects aims to significantly improve our public realm, creating segregated cycle lanes in our towns and cities, supporting behaviour change and educational projects and making walking and cycling the natural and easy choice for everyday short journeys.\u201d[ii]<\/a><\/p>\n

To make walking and cycling the natural choice these proposals should be updated to include:<\/p>\n