Plans to revamp Academy Street in Inverness have been scrapped following fierce opposition from local traders.
The future of the project was discussed in detail during a full council meeting on Thursday, September 19.
Following a brief spell of private deliberations, councillors returned to debate the future of the controversial city centre scheme in public view.
However, councillors voted to “put it to bed” and walk away from the ambitious project.
Countless representatives agreed actions need to be taken to address issues on Academy Street, however this cannot be looked at in isolation.
A total of 30-23 members voted in favour of abandoning the plans and ceasing all activity on the project.
Four councillors abstained from voting.
Inverness business owners and councillors react to Academy Street decision
Local businesses and representatives have welcomed the council’s decision.
A spokesperson for the Inverness BID Board said: “For nearly two years we have been strongly campaigning for our businesses, as well as the public, community groups and all other stakeholders, to be given a voice and to have their views properly considered.
“Our strategic efforts were extensive, and the material considerations and representations we put forward were at all times context and evidence-led.
“The consultation on the proposal was found to be ‘unfair to and beyond the point of unlawfulness’. The plan itself deemed to offer ‘poor value for money’ and the exercise ‘fundamentally flawed’.
“Given that we all want what is best for the Highland Capital the decision was absolutely the right one to make.’
Before casting their vote, councillor Isabelle Mckenzie said they needed to look at the wider picture and create a “masterplan for the whole of Inverness.”
Speaking from the chamber, she said: “This is a right turn up for the books.
“I feel that on the back of this, it emphasises a need going forward for full proper consultation. We need to agree on a way forward, but we have got to explore not just across the city centre – I’ve been saying this for years – but the wider network.
“The infrastructure needs to be sorted out. We need to look at assessing the bigger picture, not just one street, which is the main arterial route through the town.
“We should look for a long-term, well-considered masterplan for the whole of Inverness, not just for one street.”
Fellow councillor Morven Reid said the council needs to regroup and begin rebuilding relationships.
She added: “It is well known there has been fierce opposition from certain quarters which led to delays of progressing the project and ultimately the legal action that we are all very much aware of.
“There is no doubt, we all want a beautiful Academy Street and all the representations we have had this week from people and businesses in Inverness have said we need to find a project that will work.
“I feel the time has arisen for us to stop, reflect on all that has happened and rebuild relationships.”
Councillor Duncan Macpherson added: “I’ve had business owners biting their bottom lip to stop them from breaking into tears as they fear for their business because they say the officer of the council and the members in this chamber here don’t understand.
“I’m very pleased to see this. I just wonder why it has taken this council so long to get there and arrive at this decision.”
Academy Street plans abandoned after facing legal actions
The council had proposed to reduce traffic in the city centre to make Academy Street more attractive for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users.
The plans proposed to create bus lane sections between the junctions of Union Street and Queensgate.
The plan had faced fierce opposition in recent months including a legal challenge, which was lost.
The owners of the Eastgate Centre raised an action in the Court of Session earlier this year, objecting to the ambition traffic plan.
They sought a judicial review of the council’s decision taken on the issue on August 28 and September 14.
Last month, Lord Sandison ruled in their favour, branding it an unlawful consultation.
It came as local businesses called for the council to go back to the drawing board.
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