Public input sought on key Highland issues like road upgrades and tourist tax. Are opinions truly valued?
Transport Scotland asks about road speeds. They are also asking about the A96 road’s future. Highland Council seeks input on a tourist tax.
The author wonders if these are real talks. Do they genuinely want public views? Or do they push a favored answer already? The surveys might justify decisions already made.
The A96 corridor review seems confusing. The government pledged to upgrade the A96 in 2011. Very little actual progress has happened to date.
The survey has six questions. Only one question is truly meaningful. It asks: will the plan improve your experience? Even those who want the full upgrade would say yes. Any improvement is, of course, an improvement.
But the survey lacks a key option. People can’t strongly support the full, original plan. Will they say the public likes the “package”? Then could they cancel the full upgrade? It’s a real possibility.
The speed limit review is similar. They suggest a 50 mph limit on some roads. This might suit central Scotland. But the A9 and A96 are vital routes. The speed consultation feels flawed.
It asks if lower speeds reduce injuries. How can regular people really know? The questions imply lower speeds mean fewer injuries. Lower speed limits might result from this. Fewer injuries sound good.
Yet the A9 and A96 upgrades might then be scrapped. They might then fail to account for business and personal travel. They’ll claim the public agreed, even if we didn’t like it. The Highlands lacks fair transport investment.
Now, they might find reasons to stop progress. They may not fully know our region.
Lastly, Highland Council consults on a tourist tax. Highland hotels struggle with costs. They still support the tax idea at its core and in principle, however, they strongly oppose the plan currently.
Highland Council knows the industry’s worries. But they still promote the tax online. They make supportive statements about where the money will go. Each survey question repeats these points.
The council should show a balanced view. They need honestly to acknowledge hotel concerns. People could then give truly thoughtful answers. Now, it seems more like a campaign.
Speak up in these consultations. Each one matters very much. Say if you think they seem biased. Our leaders must listen to Highland businesses.