Transport In Highland - A Chance To Share Your Views

5th November 2024

The Highland Council is developing a new Local Transport Strategy (LTS) for the next 10-year period. This Strategy will underpin the future direction and policy focus for transport in Highland. It covers all aspects of transport including the road network, walking, wheeling, cycling, public transport, community transport, ferries, aviation, freight, and the safety and resilience of the transport network.

The strategy will align with broader local policies, including planning, economic development, environmental, and health initiatives, as well as Scottish national and regional strategies.

Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee said: "We welcome feedback from individuals, communities and organisations across Highland to help us develop a transport strategy which is fit for the future. Highland faces significant transport challenges because of our huge geographical area and scattered population.

"Of course, the private car will continue to play a crucial role for many people. However, a shift away from single occupancy car trips to lift sharing, community transport, public transport, walking, wheeling and cycling will help to reduce carbon emissions, reduce congestion, support good physical and mental health, help household budgets, and increase travel independence for all, including those who do not or cannot drive."

The strategy is closely connected to the emerging Highland Development Plan which will set out the long-term vision for where development should and shouldn't happen across the Highland area.

The draft LTS is high level and does not include details of regional or local transport projects, infrastructure, or services; those details will be developed once elected members have approved the new Strategy.

Tracey Urry, Head of Roads & Infrastructure with The Highland Council, added: “In our daily lives, we all need to get to different places for work, education, socialising, accessing healthcare and other services. The vision of the draft LTS is that our communities, businesses and visitors in Highland will be served by a low carbon transport system that is sustainable, inclusive, safe, resilient and accessible.

“That means aiming to reduce emissions from transport, to improve walking wheeling and cycling choices, to improve public and shared transport options and to invest in the safety, maintenance and resilience of the transport system. “

For further details on the vision, objectives and themes of the draft Strategy and to give feedback, please visit www.highland.gov.uk/lts

You can simply give brief “support / don’t support" feedback, with the option of giving further detail.

People have until Tuesday 3 December to take part. Feedback will then be reviewed and an updated draft LTS produced which will go to elected members for approval in early 2025.

In a linked but separate process, public consultation on the Highland Local Development Plan will open in early 2025 giving individuals, communities and organisations the opportunity to comment on a series of topics including transport, housing, the economy, and the built and natural environment.

Full details are on www.highland.gov.uk/lts