The popular Riverside Way in Inverness will become a one-way system – with a contraflow for cyclists – in a six month trial designed to support the city’s active travel strategy.
The contraflow will be introduced on part of Ness Walk and part of Bught Road, between Bishops Road and Bught Drive.
Council officials say the £15,000 trial will be monitored and engagement with Ballifeary community council and other stakeholders will continue for a detailed report to be brought back to a future committee meeting.
A series of seven signposts, markings and a splitter island along the route will allow motorists to travel in one direction, south towards Bught Park while cyclists would be able to travel in both directions.
Executive chief officer for infrastructure and environment, Malcolm Macleod told city councillors at their regular meeting yesterday that the trial is part of an overall strategy, geared towards prioritising walking and ‘wheeling’, and that emergency services and other stakeholders had raised no objections.
Local councillor Bill Boyd has consistently argued that the move will not enhance the environment for active travellers, but make matters worse for them.
He said: “At present the two-way traffic on this street keeps speeds down.
“It’s been shown the one-way streets encourage faster driving and there is barely enough space for pedestrians let along two lanes of cyclists.”
