Sir, - I read with great interest your article in "Briefs" (July '02) referring to permit parking being introduced on Abban Street and Huntly Place. I cannot speak for all concerned, but personally I feel some drastic measures have to be taken to improve the current situation.
Non-residential parking is causing a nightmare scenario on these streets. By parking on both sides of the street, through traffic is reduced to single lane. On numerous occasions motorists have been forced to reverse to make way for oncoming traffic. This situation has caused anger and frustration among drivers as it is impossible to determine who has right of way. Usually this is solved by who must reverse the shortest distance.
The act of reversing then causes danger to pedestrians, especially small children, trying to cross the road from between closely parked cars and vans.
Retail and goods vehicles attempting to deliver their wares frequently block the streets completely and residents who own cars often cannot find space to park near their homes.
The storm drain gullies are not being cleaned on a regular basis as the Council Roads Department cannot get access to them and this results in flooded areas along the streets when it rains.
In the event of an emergency, valuable time could be lost by the services trying to gain access to the scene.
Incredibly I have heard that some residents have objected to the proposed scheme. Seemingly they are unwilling to pay the cost of Residential Parking Permits. Surely, with higher safety standards, less congestion and a guaranteed parking space, the money would be a small price to pay. Hopefully these objectors will think again and consider the benefits that such a scheme will bring.
I would take this opportunity to thank Councillor Chrissie Cumming for her relentless drive and determination in bringing about a solution to this problem. Though she has met opposition and dissent from certain quarters, she has stuck steadfastly to the task and her concern for public safety seems to have won the day.
Thank you, Chrissie - maybe your next crusade could be "Free Residential Parking"!
J Richardson
Rosmarcar,
Abban Place
NEWS & VIEWS comments: The parking situation in Huntly Place (pictured) and Abban Street has long been scandalous. Larger vehicles frequently have to navigate with centimetres to spare in order not to damage cars whose owners are happy thinking they have avoided paying to park while they work or shop in the city centre. And if residential permits are introduced in these two streets, the problem will just move somewhere else - such as Lochalsh, Dunabban and Telford roads, where parking is often under pressure already.
Residential permits may be nice little earners for the local authority, but it's a plaster that won't cure the underlying sickness - the lack of sufficient reasonably priced city-centre parking for workers and shoppers. Maybe park-and-ride would be worth looking at - but the days of Invernessians and visitors to the city expecting to leave their cars for free wherever they like are all but gone for ever. What do you think?
Sir - Regarding trolleys being dumped at Friars' Bridge, I went to the Council a couple of months ago to complain and was told a team of divers would be called in to tidy it up. Promised July - still no word.
The state of overgrowth round Friars' Bridge area is an eyesore - it used to be kept clear, but is now a total disgrace.
The Council say it's a lack of money, but do they really care?
(Name & address supplied)