Streetscape Phase 2 plans confirmed

Two city centre streets in Inverness – Union Street and Mid Church Street – will close from Monday 12 November for up to eight months to allow streetscape improvements to proceed in a safe and effective manner. This was the outcome of a meeting held between Rok Civil Engineering with business representatives, the bus companies, officers of The Highland Council and the senior Traffic Warden. 

Rok’s Operations Manager for the Streetscape contract, David MacDonald said: “I am delighted with the co-operation and practical input we have had from the business groups.  We were very aware that this is probably the worst time of year for going into this important retail environment but it is unavoidable if we are to meet our contractual obligations.  We looked at all the options but this is the only workable solution to achieve our priorities of safe and easy pedestrian access; deliveries with minimum inconvenience and a safe and efficient working environment for Rok’s workforce.”

For the plans to work, bus services which normally operate from Union Street and mid-Church Street will be relocated to north east Church Street. 
Scott Pearson, Operations Manager of Stagecoach, Inverness said “We appreciate that Rok have a difficult job to do and we want to help them achieve it as quickly as possible.  Our duty is to ensure a convenient and reliable service for our passengers so we welcome being able to group the temporary stops together.  We carry 80,000 passenger trips a week into the city centre and we will work with the Streetscape partners to keep bringing people directly into the heart of the city.” 

Ali MacDonald, Operations Manager with Rapson Group, said: “It is important that we are able to inform customers about the changes affecting them.  We advise them to check on-bus information and forthcoming travel guides for changes to our services whilst the next phase of the Streetscape scheme takes place.”

Garek Begg represented the City of Inverness Traders Association at the meeting and said: “The Old Town is extensively populated with first class specialist retailers and businesses all with unique products and services.  Our primary concern is to make sure customers can reach us, and that we can operate with minimal disruption, unimpeded deliveries being particularly important.  Rok, and the Senior Traffic Warden have reassured us that this will be the case.  Though only a small area with mainly unoccupied shops will be affected pre-Christmas, nonetheless this period is vital in most businesses.  Consequently every effort will have to be made to remind consumers that we are all open for business as usual and there are buses and cheap parking to facilitate this. “

Provost Bob Wynd, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee, was pleased to hear the outcome of the meeting and added: “The Council is the client for the construction contract and is anxious to see it fulfilled on time and within budget.  It is not possible to avoid all the sensitive trading periods and I am pleased to hear that all parties are working together to make the best of a challenging situation.  The City Committee receives regular reports and will be monitoring progress.  Inverness City Partnership will issue more detailed information for the businesses in the city centre shortly so that they know how this might affect them and what steps are being taken to mitigate any negative impact.”

Meanwhile, various events and promotional ideas are being developed as part of the Inverness Winter Festival City Celebrations.  Inverness City Centre Management, the BID Team and Marie Mackintosh, City Partnership Officer, are collaborating on these.  Marie said: “The ice rink on Falcon Square is already confirmed but we also want to spread the festival spirit out into the Old Town area with events and attractions.  The upside of the temporary road closure is that with less traffic it will be easier for people to move around so we want to encourage them to come in and enjoy the many great shops, restaurants and bars that the city centre has to offer.  They will then begin to see the positive improvements we are making to create a city centre to be proud of.”

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For more information contact

Marie Mackintosh, City Partnership Officer at marie.mackintosh@highland.gov.uk or  01463 724380 / 07751 051371