Businesses welcome 'return to normal' as Highland Council votes to remove Spaces for People measures from Castle Street and a return to two-way traffic along the route
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Businesses in the Highland capital's Castle Street have welcomed the fact that the controversial Spaces for People measures will be removed.
Last week members of Highland Council’s city committee voted in favour of taking them away and a spokeswoman has confirmed that the pandemic-related interventions will be removed within a couple of weeks.
But it might take up to 14 weeks to revert to two-way traffic due to problems with traffic lights at the junction with View Place.
Traders were against the measures, which were introduced last year, as lockdown restrictions were eased, claiming they were affecting deliveries, causing congestion and putting people off from visiting the city centre.
Dingwall breakthrough over 'pointless' traffic-calming measures
David Traill, of Grahams fields sports shop, said it was encouraging that councillors had listened to local businesses and residents.
He said they wanted to see two-way traffic returned as soon as was practical, adding: “There was a huge groundswell of public opinion and people were getting more and more vocal. It was a dangerous mess and a waste of time and energy which was causing chaos in Castle Street.”
Tania Kennedy, from Rouge Boutiques, said she was pleased with the decision because the measures had affected deliveries to her shop. She said: “People have not been coming in because it’s so difficult. We are just delighted – it’s Christmas coming early to get it back open.”
Denise Collins, from Castle Gallery, said footfall had fallen by around 60 to 70 per cent while the measures were in place, adding: “Some of that is due to Covid but they don’t come into town any more and they don’t come into Castle Street.”
Norman MacDonald, who runs Café One and has been very vocal against the scheme, said that common sense had prevailed.
He added: “We’ve got the result we were looking for so it is onwards and upwards from here.”
Jackie Cuddy, the manager of the Eastgate Centre, said it was great news about their removal from Castle Street, adding: “I think it’s great for businesses. It was the impression it gave – it looked cluttered and messy. I know from talking to people that it put people off coming into the city centre.”
A council spokesman said reverting to two-way traffic will be done sooner if possible.
