AN increasing number of people are using Grant Street as an all-day car park, according to Merkinch Community Council. At their recent meeting members said that people were parking there in the morning and going up the town all day. Similarly Abban Street and Huntly Street were becoming increasingly used by town centre workers as well as shoppers leaving their vehicles for the day.

Members are finding that the traffic-calming measures in Grant Street are not proving entirely satisfactory, and some felt that pedestrians would be safer with a crossing at the east end of the street.

However, Roads & Transport statistics show that traffic speeds are slightly down, with 95% of drivers keeping under the speed limit compared to 90% before the measures were put in place.

Concern was also expressed by some members of the community council about the amount of speeding in South Kessock, particularly in the Kessock Avenue/ Carnac Crescent/ Rosehaugh Road area.

The area is part of a national trial to encourage more careful driving, and signs asking motorists to keep to a 20mph limit (the speed at which pedestrians have a chance of surviving a collision with a car) have been placed throughout the area.

Roads & Transport statistics here - taken from a 24-hour monitor operating over a number of days - show the signs are having some success, and are producing the desired effect on 85% of drivers. Sadly, not on the other 15% some of whom continue to drive with total disregard to life and limb. A further assessment of the scheme is yet to be made.

The community council agreed to invite a member of the Roads & Transport department to discuss their various traffic worries.