Horror over plan for hundreds of trucks to pass Inverness school

The six-month operation, which is due to begin next spring, would take the lorries via Cloverfield Road, the southern distributor route, B8082 and onto the A9.

Contractor, forestry management company Scottish Woodlands, has told Highland Council it has reached agreement with a neighbouring farmer for a track to be upgraded to give lorries access to the woods.

But local community figures say that does not address the issue of public safety.

The firm says the work at Balvonie Woods is essential.

Inverness South councillor Ken Gowans said: “This involves 480 truck journeys. To put that size of truck through a residential area, past Inshes Primary, is an unacceptable risk not to mention the disruption that could cause to the community. Some of the school community were horrified at the prospect.”

Inverness South Community council secretary Bob Roberts said: “No matter what they do the lorries will pose problems.

“I’m very concerned for the pupils’ safety because as well as this, at certain times of day the parking around the school is horrendous.”

The community council is still to formulate its official response to Highland Council.

Scottish Woodlands’ regional development manager Bruce Taylor said: “It’s quite early days. There’ll be a consultation period from now until the end of the year and we’ll look at all options.

“ The point is to raise the proposal into the public arena and get responses with an expectation that we would be attending community council meetings to discuss the matter.

“At the end of the day, the wood is becoming unsafe because there is wind-throw in it and we need to find a solution to it because the owner is becoming concerned that at some point somebody might get hurt by a fallen tree.”

Dates are still to be arranged for consultation events.