Action Note - Inverness West (Ward 14)
Kinmylies Primary School, Inverness
Thursday 4 December 2008 at 7.30pm
Review of the Canal Bridge Opening Times
Councillor Pauline Munro in the Chair
1. Welcome, introductions and apologies.
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced;
Councillor Alex Graham, Depute Provost
Sam MacNaughton, Head of Transport & Infrastructure
Neil MacRae, Transportation Officer
Stewart Wardlaw, Ward Manager
David Lamont, General Manager, British Waterways (Scotland)
Russell Thomson, Manager Highland Canals, British Waterways (Scotland)
Bob Mitchell, Transport Scotland
Chief Inspector Julian Innes, Northern Constabulary
Apologies
Apologies were submitted on behalf of Councillor Jimmy MacDonald.
2. Presentations
Sam MacNaughton for the Highland Council gave a presentation to the Forum on the recommendations for the protocol and included a traffic micro-simulation analysis.
3. Open Forum
Q. Muirtown Community Council – The recommendation only proposes a 5 minute alteration in the mornings which is inadequate – it should be at least 8am for Muirtown. In terms of the increase in times, what percentage of this is at lunchtime? The problems are mainly in the morning and in the evening.
A. British Waterways – The protocol was a compromise for road and canal business. This is the first time science has been used to analyse the situation. It was not the final position, it would be tested and if there was no improvement it would be reconsidered. There were 3 elements in play only one of which has been factored into the model, therefore, there will be further benefits from (ii) and (iii) to come in the future (i) the protocol, (ii) real-time buses, (iii) the reduction in swing time.
A. Council – The existing times in place for Muirtown at lunchtime did not reflect the traffic flows which were higher between 12pm and 1pm than 1pm and 2pm. The peak flow in the evening started at 4.30pm, not 5pm. But the protocol did fit the morning peaks.
A. British Waterways - There does however have to be the opportunity to swing the bridge in the morning.
Q. Muirtown Community Council – The traffic flows should be taken when the schools are in. Tourists affect the traffic flows but they are normally at breakfast until 9.30am. The traffic backs up when the schools are in.
A. Council – The traffic flows were measured in July and August and the schools were in at the end of August. They could gather further information over the coming summer. It was thought that the reduction in traffic was not due to a reduction in school traffic, it was those families going on holiday and therefore not commuting.
Q. Inverness West Community Council – If there was a successful terrorist attack on the Kessock Bridge what plans do the Council have in place?
A. Council – There is an Emergency Service who would deal with this. There was an increase in resilience planning and this was something that was very important.
Q. Local Resident – If the new protocol was implemented would this be adhered to if boats wished to pass?
A. British Waterways – The canal has priority over the road but the protocol is voluntary and boats will not be able to insist they pass if the protocol was agreed. The bridge would only be swung outwith the hours in the case of an emergency. The protocol would be conveyed to canal users.
Q. Muirtown Community Council – If boats are coming in different directions it takes longer that 6 minutes for them to pass.
A. British Waterways – The timings varied depending on the size, manoeuvrability and direction of the boat. The aim was to have the bridge open for no longer than 7 minutes, the average was 5 ½. It would be up to the judgement of the bridge operator whether a longer opening was required or 2 shorter openings.
Q. Muirtown Community Council – What happens if there is a funeral procession wishing to cross the bridge all at the same time?
A. British Waterways – British Waterways have not been contacted about this in the past, it has only been emergency services who have requested the bridge to stay closed. If the operator was aware they were on route they would avoid swinging the bridge, but ultimately the bridges do require to be swung. If there was a particular event it could be considered.
Q. GGCUA (Great Glen Canal Users Association) - The traffic modelling technique did not take account of boat traffic which gives the impression that it is not important. This was not the case as they had tides to go by, other transport to catch and business to carry out.
A. Council – Boat information had been gathered for the model and they would continue to collect additional information.
A. British Waterways – It was about collaboration and compromise. They had to move some way as the City was growing but the Canal was also important to consider, for example for tourism. Everything has been considered and the protocol is a compromise. There is a desire for an ongoing review process.
Q. Local Resident – Could one bridge be opened in the morning and the other in the afternoon? And could boats use the Caley reservoir as a waiting area?
A. British Waterways – It would be difficult to only have one bridge open as this would create a hold up and compound other constraints. The area at the Caley Inn would not be safe for leisure boats. The canal had operating hours they had to adhere to. They would have to review swings later in the evening. It would be useful if this idea could be submitted fully in writing so it could be given consideration.
Q. Inverness West Community Council – Our Community Council was not advised by letter of the Forum date and should have been.
A. Council – The Council’s record of contact details for the Community Council required to be updated.
The Chair thanked everyone for attending to discuss the protocol. The protocol would need to be approved by the Highland Council and British Waterways and there would be a further forum later next year to discuss any issues. It was noted that comments could still be submitted in writing or via the website but they needed to be in by 15 December. It was hoped that the protocol would be implemented by spring 2009.
Inverness West Related Items
4. Ward Discretionary Budget
This budget was available for projects that would benefit the community. £24,000 remained in the budget. Information on what the money was used for to date was available from the Ward Manager. The budget for next year had not yet been decided by Highland Council.
5. Briefing from Bob Mitchell, Transerv Scotland
Bob Mitchell briefed the group on Transerv Scotland’s responsibilities for the A82 and highlighted that:
• They were responsible for the A82 from the Longman to Fort William;
• Community Councils should raise issues with Edwin Stewart, Area Manager at the Beauly Office – tel. 01463 784300.
• The Council was employed to carry out works to signals etc but should not be contacted about issues with the trunk road.
Q. Cllr Alex Graham – Has there been a decision about the bypass?
A. Bob Mitchell – Unaware of what is happening in that area – assume the Strategy Transport Review (for Transerv Scotland) is due to report soon. The proposal is currently with the politicians.
Q. Inverness West Community Council – The junction at Tomnahurich Street/Kenneth Street is very tight for lorries coming round. They are very close to cars as they pass and sometimes have to mount the pavement. On one occasion one even had to stop and move the bollard to get through. There are also issues with vehicles parking in that area.
A. Bob Mitchell – Concerns have been noted. The right hand land for traffic travelling past the junction is set back to allow more room for vehicles coming round. They would look to see if the vehicle restrictions in the area were adequate.
Q. Inverness West Community Council – In terms of the plans to make sections of the A9 2 +1, this third lane would be a waste of money.
A. Bob Mitchell – There were major repair works taking place at many lengths of the A9. But Transerv Scotland were involved in maintaining the existing width of the road and were unaware of the details for any future proposals.
Q. Inverness West Community Council – The High Street was not gritted during the recent cold snap.
A. Council – This is the responsibility of the Council and a list of the streets effected should be taken up with the Ward Manager.
A. Bob Mitchell – Transerv Scotland are responsible for the roads and footways on the A82 route but employ the Council to grit the area. But as it is the responsibility of Transerv Scotland they should be consulted.
Q. Inverness West Community Council – What is happening with the planning permission for the development near Tomnahurich Bridge?
A. Council – The proposals have not yet come before the Planning Committee, it can be requested that the Community Council have a chance to comment.
6. Community Safety
Julian Innes attended to brief the forum on recent Community Safety issues. Anti-social behaviour was the main concern in the area with neighbour disputes and underage drinking. In terms of road safety, 20 people had been charged and 60 warned about speeding in areas beside schools. This would continue to be monitored. Persons were also being pulled up about stopping in yellow boxes in the city.
More Police would be out over the period of the Winter Festival to make people feel safer in the city.
Q. Muirtown Community Council – Is the park and ride being introduced this year?
A. Council – Yes, it will be the same arrangements as last year.
Q. Muirtown Community Council – There are concerns about traffic speeding on Canal Road.
A. Julian Innes – The Police will look into this. Council – There are proposals for traffic calming measures which are due to start in the new year.
7. Update from Previous Forum
The following updates were given:
• Work on General Booth Road at the Mile End underpass at Kinmylies was completed on 1 October 2008;
• Mrs Stewart of Inverness West Community Council provided more info on damage to the road near the Dunain Park Hotel Dunain and this was to be referred back to TEC Services.
• A site visit had taken place and work on the path/steps at Muirtown Primary School would be done in April 2009. Consideration was also being given to security fencing for the school; this was to be included in the work programme for the next financial year.
8. Date of Next Meeting
Details of the next forum would be confirmed in due course.
The meeting ended at 9.30pm.