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YOUR VIEWS: MP Jamie Stone’s obsession with A9 and response to Thurso parking proposals





YOUR CAITHNESS: Sunrise at Scrabster harbour on a January morning, photographed by Ross Farquhar.
YOUR CAITHNESS: Sunrise at Scrabster harbour on a January morning, photographed by Ross Farquhar.

There are more roads in the north than the A9

I see that Jamie Stone is back on Facebook talking about roads. At least this time about roads in his own patch, so I guess that’s an improvement on his disingenuous Irish adventure! I also received one of his “newspapers” this week and the obsession with the A9 continues there too.

I have been wondering for a while why he is so obsessed with the emergency travel of patients from Caithness in particular. Why not Durness? Or Ullapool? Or Strathy? Why is he not arguing for consultants on the west coast too?

And, of course, west coast drivers have to navigate the single-track road/dual track road systems, which surely are just as confusing as the switches between single and dual carriageway systems that need to be navigated on the A9? It makes me wonder if it is because those ballot boxes may be more valuable to his cause?

And then there is history. When I first started commuting the A9 north to Caithness, we had a Labour/Lib Dem coalition Scottish Government, with Jamie Stone MSP as our elected representative. The Berriedale Braes was the most dangerous stretch of road in the UK.

Nothing was done about it. Nothing was planned to be done about it. Then we had SNP MSPs influencing an SNP administration and providing a solution-focused approach… The improvement to that section of road is huge, the road much safer.

I also wonder why he has not spoken to his Lib Dem colleagues over the Pentland Firth in Orkney and Shetland. The MP and MSPs there seem quite happy with the midwife-led units there and for mothers to travel to Aberdeen if there is a need for consultant-led care.

Or would that perhaps provide him with a solution, which would take away his one campaign strategy – the A9?

Maybe I would feel less cynical towards Mr Stone if I thought he was actually looking for solutions, perhaps starting a fundraising campaign or a working group for a Caithness NHS helicopter? It works for the Northern Isles after all. His elected Lib Dem colleagues there know perfectly well that there are not enough births on the isles for a consultant to maintain their training hours.

Maybe it’s just that he has got stuck in the groove. Let’s hope he will soon find the will to work with others to find solutions. I worry that we might be more likely to get blood from a stone.

Rebecca Machin

Edderton

Local input vital on Thurso parking plans

I am writing concerning the proposed parking measures for Thurso, which have been covered in recent news items published in this newspaper and informally on Facebook. Whilst I appreciate the concern for local issues, there are several points that I believe require clarification.

Firstly, the current parking proposals for Thurso are neither a bloc imposition from a nebulous “Inverness” nor disconnected from local input. These proposals were developed over the course of a year and are based on feedback from nearly 300 local residents and businesses, including our friends and neighbours; some of whom support reviewing parking arrangements in and around Thurso, including the introduction of parking charges.

There has been significant criticism regarding Cllr Raymond Bremner’s absence from a recent public meeting in Thurso on this topic.

It is important to note that as a Highland councillor, his attendance at such meetings, while valuable, is neither essential nor expected unless the meeting pertains specifically to his ward.

I understand Cllr Struan Mackie clarified at the meeting that Cllr Bremner was neither required to attend in his capacity as leader of Highland Council nor expected to do so. Furthermore, Cllr Bremner has publicly stated that he did not receive an invitation to the meeting, which, if he were expected to attend as leader of the council, would be standard protocol.

Additionally, it should be noted that no officers involved in producing the proposals were invited to the meeting, as confirmed publicly by senior council officers. This could have provided background information or historical context, which could have been beneficial in addressing concerns.

Thurso and Northwest Caithness has four councillors, all of whom participated in relevant discussions and approved the publication of these proposals: some even contributed to their development. It is surprising, therefore, that three now appear to be campaigning against policies they themselves approved.

For context, similar parking measures were successfully implemented in Wick after Highland Council engaged with Wick-side councillors, the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council, and local residents to address concerns raised during the planning stages. This collaborative approach ensured a smooth transition. While initial revenue estimates for these measures were revised due to set-up costs, the system continues to generate meaningful income for the area.

I have also raised concerns with Highland Council regarding potentially unidentified Common Good assets in relation to these proposals. However, shelving the current parking proposal is unlikely to impact existing traffic management measures.

Finally, I encourage the public to make their voices heard by submitting feedback – positive or negative – to Highland Council via parking@highland.gov.uk. Constructive input is vital in shaping policies that reflect the needs and priorities of our community.

I have personally shared both criticisms and support for aspects of the current proposals and urge others to do the same.

Alexander Glasgow

Tower Hill Road

Thurso

Wick DVD hunt

I’m trying to track down a copy of a DVD which, I think, was titled “The Little Town of Wick.” I’m guessing it was produced in the early 90s by a Mr Dunnet and I’d love to know if it is still available to buy. Hopefully some of your readers will know.

Derek Booth

Derekbooth1953@hotmail.co.uk


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