Transport bosses caused traffic chaos in the north yesterday by running a census at rush hour – as part of plans to improve traffic flow.
The traffic survey of “essential information” for improvements to the Longman Junction and the Inshes to Smithton link road caused havoc for anyone trying to get into Inverness from the north.
A crucial Highland Council planning meeting to decide the future of the proposed Coul Links golf course was delayed because participants could not reach headquarters in time.
For the census the dual carriageway was reduced to one lane and a 20mph speed limit was imposed that caused tailbacks from Kessock back to Tore.
Around 10am the traffic restriction was removed and the queues eased around 11am but the Kessock Bridge was gridlocked due to the back log.
Councillor Maxine Smith, who was to chair the planning meeting, labelled the census a “ridiculous idea” after she was delayed for an hour and 15 minutes.
She said: “It could have had serious implications for people travelling to hospital appointments, people undergoing operations or if there had been an accident or a major ambulance emergency.
“This was an extremely badly thought out move by someone, who doesn’t understand that this is a lifeline road and one of only two roads to get to the city.”
Culbokie-based Justice of the Peace Ian Rhind said: “I was 45 minutes late for the train and I was left completely incensed when I found out it was all for a census.
“The cost to businesses could be astronomical and for those missing hospital appointments and I worry about the provision for emergency vehicles.”
Eventually he gave up deciding it was “futile” trying to get to the train station and went home.
According to Transport Scotland the survey concerned improvements to the Longman Junction and the East Link.
The spokesman said: “Surveys provide important evidence for the design and development of transport projects and it is important that road users participate in them. We appreciate that these surveys can cause delays and our contractors were monitoring the queues throughout the morning.
“When necessary, the survey was suspended to allow traffic to clear the area. In order to ensure that the data we gather reflects normal road use patterns, it is not possible to provide advance warning of the surveys.
“We want to thank people for their patience this morning and we apologise for the delay caused.”
