Letters to the Editor
Dear News and Views
With reference to your article in the July issue of the News and Views regarding the PDSA.
I would like to draw your attention to the fact that for the past seven years there has been a fundraising committee in Inverness.
The fundraising committee in Inverness for the PDSA composes of myself and a faithful team of ladies and gentlemen.
We have worked tirelessly, organising Jumble Sales, Coffee Mornings and manning stalls wherever we could.
Throughout the seven years, I personally have always been in close contact with the PDSA Headquarters, and have always kept Inverness very high profile.
With the opening of the charity shop in Queensgate, Inverness is firmly in the PDSA door. This is due to me and my team’s hard efforts.
The work of fundraising is, however, never over and I am always looking for people to help with our activities and would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in helping out. Please contact me on Inverness 221335.
Yours faithfully
K. Chisholm
Dear News and Views
Could you please include in your next issue of the News and Views an article regarding Highland Council complaints application forms being available for the public at Merkinch Community Centre.
I recently found out that you could go to the Community Centre and anonymously fill in the form, which the Centre then passes on to the Highland Council.
By the way, I find the Newsletter interesting and informative, especially as I have only lived in the area for seven years.
Thank you
Name and Address Supplied
Dear Reader
Thank you for your letter. I spoke to Ivor at the Community Centre who informed me that there is indeed a form that people in the area may use to notify the Council of any issue that the Council have responsibility over. That may be anything from a broken paving stone in the street, repairs in their own home or anti-social behaviour. The Community Centre acts as a sort of broker between the council and the community. It is entirely up to the person if they want to add their name and address to the form or not, as Ivor comments: "We totally respect people’s confidentiality, if they want to remain anonymous, that is fine by us. We here at the Community Centre are all about helping people to help themselves."
The Community Centre then passes the forms onto the Council, while keeping a copy at the Centre, this allows Ivor to follow up any of the complaints or queries, as well as keeping him up to date on any progress.
Dear News and Views
I was hoping that someone could explain the reason for the speed bumps in Glendoe Terrace when they do not seem to do anything for the speed of the traffic and as nothing has been done about the cars parked at the side of the road they cause congestion as drivers have to negotiate bumps and watch out for other traffic. They have also changed the junction at Benula Road to make it a very sharp corner instead of a give way junction, now when you pull out to overtake parked cars you are at risk of being hit by cars negotiating the corner, often in the middle of the road. Would the money not have been better spent on roads going past the school, to slow down the traffic there? It is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident.
If these must stay, them maybe they could provide better parking bays for the residents and visitors to Glendoe Terrace to get the cars off the road, which could be done simply by using the grass areas at the front of the houses or providing more garaging in the area which is lacking. With all the work getting done in the area just now something has to be considered.
Name and Address Supplied
Dear Reader
I contacted Mr MacInnes, Area Roads and Transport Manager for comment on your letter,which is as follows:
"The speedbumps in Glendoe Terrace were installed by the Developer of the Adjacent industrial estate as part of the traffic calming package. The installation of the road humps has been shown, by research throughout the country, to have significant impact on the speed of traffic. This is why they are installed on a regular basis and are recommended for areas where there is a need to reduce traffic speed to an acceptable level. In traffic management terms, therefore, the installation of the bumps in the Glendoe Terrace and the change in priority at Benula Road junction has been a success.
On the negative side, there is no doubt Glendoe Terrace is more difficult for traffic to negotiate, this helps to reduce traffic speed, and, again, the sharp corner at Glendoe Terrace has the same effect as it is more difficult for motorists to negotiate. Our accident statistics show there has not been an increase in the accidents at this location and therefore the risk of serious accidents in Glendoe Terrace has been reduced rather than increased by these measures.
I note that your correspondent asked for the provision of better parking bays for the residents and visitors to Glendoe Terrace and I would not disagree with that viewpoint, however, the provision of that facility is for the houseowner or the housing association to provide. This is not a function for the Roads and Transport Services."
Angus MacInnes
Area Roads and Transport Manager