Council Reaffirms Dedication To Sustainable Transport Throughout the Highlands

The Highland Council has reaffirmed its dedication to delivering inclusive, low-carbon transport options with the publication of its newest Sustainable Transport Team replace. The report, introduced to the Economy and Infrastructure Committee earlier right now, outlines main achievements in energetic journey, street security, and public transport enhancements throughout the area.

Chair of the Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans stated: “This report demonstrates the Council’s ongoing commitment to building a transport system that is sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our communities. Through strategic investment and collaboration, we are making real progress in delivering safer, greener, and more accessible travel options across the Highlands.”

In 2024/25, the Council invested over £5.7 million in sustainable journey initiatives, supported by exterior funding from Transport Scotland, Sustrans, and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Key initiatives embody:

• Active Travel Infrastructure: Completion of the Riverside Way route, Raigmore Bus Gate, and Torvean Mobility Hub. Major new investments embody £2.165 million for Wick High Street enhancements and £1.422 million for the Culbokie Active Travel Village.
• Road Safety Enhancements: Targeted schemes throughout Caithness, Sutherland, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey, Inverness, and Lochaber, aligned with Scotland’s Road Safety Framework and the Safe Systems strategy.
• Behaviour Change and Education: Expansion of Bikeability coaching, with 41% of main faculties collaborating in Level 2 on-road coaching. New Behaviour Change Officers will assist strolling, biking, and public transport uptake throughout Highland communities.
• Public Transport Improvements: A set of bus precedence initiatives valued at £1.9 million has been submitted to Transport Scotland underneath the brand new Bus Infrastructure Fund. These goal to enhance journey occasions and reliability throughout the area.
• Strategic Planning: Work is underway to ship the Local Transport Strategy (2025–2035) and develop an Integrated Transport Plan for Fort William, in partnership with HITRANS and Transport Scotland.

After noting the progress made by the Sustainable Transport Team in delivering energetic and sustainable transport and street security initiatives throughout the Highland space, the Committee agreed the profitable securing of exterior funding to assist low-carbon transport infrastructure and related programme supply. Members additionally endorsed the continued supply of energetic and sustainable transport and street security initiatives aligned with the Council’s methods and nationwide priorities

The Council will proceed to work with nationwide companions, native communities, and stakeholders to ship on its transport imaginative and prescient and local weather targets.

Read the report here