Inverness bridge thrives on broken traffic lights,says MSP
Traffic flow on Inverness’ Kessock Bridge improves when the traffic lights fail – that’s the message from a local MSP to Transport Scotland.
The Highlands & Islands MSP and Scottish (Labour) spokesperson for transport, David Stewart, wrote this week to highlight how traffic flows more freely when the lights are not working.
Speaking on Tuesday (January 19) Mr Stewart declared: “The traffic lights were not working at the Kessock Bridge roundabout and there was little traffic congestion for traffic heading North or South. This is a practical example of the point I have been trying to make for several months now.
“Transport Scotland go on about specialised traffic light signalling experts reviewing the sequencing of the lights, but these experts are only on site for a very short time. Just switch the lights off and watch the improved traffic flow and that will tell you all you need to know.”
“I am starting to wonder if Transport Scotland find it hard to admit they made a mistake and although they probably know that the traffic lights at the Kessock Bridge causes more congestion at this roundabout junction, they do not want to admit that the thousands they spent installing the lights in the first place was a mistake.”
After consulting with his team, he , insisted: “It is clear to all who use the Kessock Bridge daily that the traffic light system is causing more mayhem than it is preventing. For months I have been trying to do something about this situation and frankly getting no where fast, as Transport Scotland carry out review after review and import a specialist in this and that.
“Why do they not just consult with the motoring public? Why do they not set up a consultation on their web site? Why waste so much money when the people who know best are those that use this roundabout junction sometimes more than once a day every day.
“In an attempt to gauge the feeling of the motoring public I publicised our efforts on Facebook and amazingly so far we have received 98,329 views, 499 shares and 1854 likes. This is an astonishing response.”
In light of it he set up an i-petition at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/kessock-bridge-lights.
“I would ask as many as possible to sign the petition, in fact I am hoping we can secure 1000 signatures within a week. If we manage this figure, I will write again to Transport Scotland urging them to take on board the views of the signatories and at the very least consult with the motoring public here in the Highlands.
“At the same time I will write to the Transport Minister and lodge a Parliamentary Question seeking a full consultation and asking why are the users of this roundabout are being ignored. Together we can and will make a difference.”
