No light at the end of the tunnel at Aviemore
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant is continuing to press for lighting to be installed through the railway underpass in Aviemore and for repairs to the existing lighting behind the Bank of Scotland building in the town to be carried out.
The campaign follows Mrs Grant’s earlier successful plea for street lights at Dalfaber Road in the north end of the village, which constituents advised was dark and dangerous.
The MSP, though, has been advised by Highland Council that the work at the underpass, scheduled for June of this year, will be delayed.
The local authority has explained to her that it has been unable to commit resources to complete the work as planned, so they are currently working with suppliers to commission a “design and build” project to include supply and installation of the lighting.
Mrs Grant said this week: “The council tells me that delivery time scales due to a global shortage of electronic equipment and the impact of Covid-19 mean the budget and time scale for the lighting project have been extended into next year. I raised this with Highland Council at the tail end of last winter, in the February. But with the onset of dark nights and dark mornings looming again, I have contacted them again asking for the work to be carried out as soon as possible.”
Mrs Grant added that she was aware of the difficulties involved, “I know councils throughout Scotland are stretched to the limit with funding shortfalls,” she added. “However, the safety of constituents should never be jeopardised.
“I am still pressing Highland Council for the work to be brought forward.”