Outcry over plans to fell mature trees to make way for 'unwanted' bus lane in Highland capital
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Angry residents in a Highland neighbourhood have started a petition in a bid to prevent trees from being felled to make way for a controversial bus lane.
The trees, some said to be hundreds of years old, form the boundary between Raigmore Estate and Raigmore Hospital.
But some are to be felled so a bus gate can be created, allowing buses to run from Churchill Road/Ashton Road on the estate and through the hospital site to Old Perth Road under a long-standing planning condition attached to Inverness Campus.
Nearby residents have pleaded for the trees to be saved and also questioned the need for the bus lane, which previously drew criticism from NHS Highland which was concerned about buses passing too close to its helicopter pad.
Denise Stewart-Thomson, of Ashton Crescent, discovered the trees were at risk when she saw a survey being carried out.
She said it was an "absolute disgrace" that trees, including oak and sycamore, could be removed to make way for an unwanted and unneeded bus lane.
"This is beyond my comprehension why this action can be seen to be acceptable," she said.
"There has been zero consultation or warning that this decision has been made."
She felt it was being rushed through before the bird nesting season started.
"Aside from the impact on our wildlife, what about the destruction of the green space appreciated by the people living here?" Mrs Stewart-Thomson asked.
"All it is going to do is destroy our environment and create pollution."
Another resident, Ania Aszkoldowicz, said: "People are really concerned about the situation. No one seemed to know about the plan."
Other residents are unhappy about the planned route next to their homes.
The bus link, which is being delivered by NHS Highland in partnership with Highland Council, is required as a planning condition for the construction of the Centre for Health Science 2 at Inverness Campus to mitigate the impact on the transport network.
It is funded by the Scottish Government’s bus rapid deployment fund.
A spokesman for Highland Council said: "This rapid fund will enable the link to be delivered sooner, supporting people to use more sustainable transport during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Ecologists have been surveying trees this week in order to ensure those that require to be felled can be, to make way for the route.
"Removal of mature trees is not something that is ever done lightly but, in this instance, it is considered necessary to support a transition to more sustainable travel.
"This route will have a longer-term and lasting environmental benefit by mitigating the impact of climate change caused by unsustainable transport.
"Works are being prepared in consultation with the council’s forestry officer and, in recognition of the impact of tree removal, compensatory planting of two trees for every one lost will form part of the works."
Raigmore Community Council has been consulted about the work and chairman Munro Ross said it would hold the council to its offer of compensatory tree planting.
Inverness Millburn councillor Ian Brown understood residents’ upset over the loss of trees and hoped ongoing discussions could result in a solution to suit everyone.
"I think from the council’s point of view, this will be of long-term benefit in reducing the carbon footprint by encouraging bus travel," he said.
Related story: Bus gate work to begin before end of the year
