LETTERS: Green vision to end Highland 'postcode lottery' over local services aims to provide 'what you need where you need it'
I was heartened to see that a post office service is being restored to Munlochy thanks to the Dingwall post office van initiative, although it's not the same as having a full time post office. I'm fortunate to live near North Kessock which has managed to retain post office facilities, but during my campaign I've tried to be as green as possible and get about by electric bike and bus. I notice a lot of people having to get the bus to Avoch or Fortrose just to use the post office and of course they may have to wait
an hour or more for a bus back. What we are calling for is 'What you need… where you want it'. The Green new vision for Highland communities will ultimately ensure that almost no-one needs to travel more than 20 minutes to access basic essential services.
There is a postcode lottery in the Highlands. As an example, one village of 1000 people has a health centre, pharmacy, food shop, primary school, library, sports pitches and pavilion, and a post office. Twelve miles away, another village of the same size has just a primary school or not even that.
Our vision is to provide all these services in every village of at least 1000 people, and across town neighbourhoods. This can be achieved by councillors, planners, health providers, community councils and businesses working together. Green Councillors will co-operate with these to form alliances to achieve this, wherever possible. Why go to Raigmore Hospital for a ten-minute consultation when you could just as easily do it over the internet from home, or from a private room at your chemist’s?
The Green vision is to reduce the need for travel, and strengthen the livelihoods of our communities. People will generally work from home or in the local community, unless the job requires it. Workshop and small office spaces will be available in the local community, to address issues arising from working from home.
We are aiming for journeys into the city to be occasional and usually done by reliable, integrated, environmentally-friendly public transport. Realtime information boards at bus stops will notify of any delays. We are pleased to see that Stagecoach now has an app to do this and a young person who can now travel free thanks to our deal with the SNP was very happy to show me how it works.
Where North Kessock has suffered is in withdrawal of bus services especially having a long gap in the afternoon. I spoke to one lady who always took the bus into Inverness but now finds she has to drive, as there is not a suitable regular bus for the return journey. We are advocating a publicly-owned Highland bus service, providing an efficient integrated service. The most successful bus company in Scotland is Lothian Buses, run for efficiency, not profit, on behalf of the council who own it.
Anne Thomas
Green Candidate for the Black Isle Ward
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