Stalled Aviemore lighting work to begin this week
'Let there be light' said MSP Rhoda Grant, wanting progress of a dark public underpass in the middle of Aviemore.
She was still waiting for it this week.
"I was disappointed to learn that the work to instal the lighting at the railway underpass in Aviemore had not yet started, in spite of this having been scheduled to begin almost a month ago," said the Highlands' Labour member.
The work was due to start at the end of October and due to be completed by mid November.
However constituents advised her that the scheduled dates had not been met by Highland Council and there were real concerns about the delay, given that construction works on the Dalfaber rail crossing and road closure mean that this route is the main pedestrian path to Dalfaber at the moment.
Constituents advised the MSP that negotiating the underpass and the flooded path is very dangerous at this time.
Given the increased pedestrian numbers together with the ongoing dangers present in the area, Mrs Grant contacted Highland Council again last week asking for an urgent update from them detailing why the work had not yet commenced as was scheduled and asking for a new timeframe of when the work would be carried out.
Mrs Grant said today: “Constituents have been very patient here but their fears over safety in the area are very real.
“I was informed late on Friday that the problem was due to resourcing issues within the Inverness team. The council tells me it has addressed the issue by moving staff from other areas to carry out the works and that the works are due to start early this week, weather permitting.
“They advise that there will be some disruption for pedestrians in the underpass as the works commence but I’m sure folks will put up with the disruption just to see the new lighting finally being installed.”
