Council Responds to Representations at Ness Walk, Inverness

In response to representations from residents and businesses about the introduction of one-way traffic movement on Ness Walk, Inverness, The Highland Council has reverted traffic to two-way movement. The traffic returned to two-way traffic this afternoon after essential works by Scottish Water were completed.

At the same time, the Council is to invite local residents and businesses to a meeting next week to discuss concerns about the changes and set out the Council’s longer term plans for the riverside route. The meeting will take place at the Columba Hotel, Ness Walk on Wednesday 30 May and all interested parties are being invited to attend.

Ness Walk became one way on Monday 21 May, with traffic permitted to travel only in the direction from Ardross Street towards Ness Bridge. 

Iain Wallace, Area Roads and Community Works Manager for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, said the traffic order to make Ness Walk one-way was agreed in January 2005 and the necessary statutory processes were followed before implementation on Monday.

However, he acknowledges that there has been an adverse response to the introduction of the new measure, including the absence of adequate advance warning of the implementation date.

He said: “We believe the best way forward is to meet residents and businesses to hear their concerns. We would welcome the opportunity to set out the rationale for the one-way system and our longer terms plans for Ness Walk.”