Lochaber Chamber calls for urgent action to address the critical public transport infrastructure crisis

The urgent need for essential investment in the transport infrastructure in Lochaber to relieve the huge pressures placed on the region’s vital public transport system has never been clearer. Lochaber Chamber of Commerce calls on the Scottish and UK Governments and Highland Council to unite with community leaders to take decisive action to improve the lives of the community, businesses and visitors.

Lochaber Chamber launched a campaign video today, Thursday, 07 October 2024, to draw attention to the unsustainable pressures on Lochaber’s vital public transport system, which has been neglected for years.

Lochaber’s Public Transport Crisis 2024 video

It follows the recent launch of a video that focused on Lochaber businesses and the stranglehold that consistent traffic congestion has on their growth and operational effectiveness.

Lochaber Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Frazer Coupland, said: “Our video being launched today focuses on the unsustainable public transport infrastructure, highlighting the reality behind the hollow words we’ve heard time and again about the government’s commitment to an integrated transport policy for Fort William and Lochaber. After years of campaigning, we still don’t have a policy in place, and we desperately need one. Our community deserves so much better.”

Congestion at Banavie Swing Bridge. Credit David Mills.

As a local bus operator, Shiel Buses witness the daily impact of the growing challenges affecting their services first hand.

Frustrated by the lack of investment in the public transport infrastructure, David Phillips, Managing Director of Shiel Buses, said: “Lochaber’s out-of-date infrastructure needs to be put right. Historic challenges remain without ever being resolved and have only worsened over time.

“Congestion and infrastructure issues have made for a challenging environment to operate buses. A recent change to a local town service saw it impossible to run the previous 30-minute bus service in the area without an extra bus. We operate this on behalf of Highland Council and as there was no additional funding available, sections of the route were removed throughout the day to best utilise the available resources”.

“We very much regret any impact to our customers, but we have a responsibility to meet our commitments to our regulator. Positive changes to the infrastructure in Fort William could provide faster and consistent journey times and ultimately provide improved access to bus services for the population of the town, making it a real alternative to the car, and reducing congestion and emissions. Change is desperately needed that requires action at both a national and regional level.”

Shiel Bus at Glenfinnan. Credit David Mills.

Sarah Riddle, President of Lochaber Chamber of Commerce, is concerned about the impacts of infrastructure problems on the community and businesses of Lochaber. She commented: “Our traffic infrastructure feels like it’s going backwards. Congestion can mean delays of well over an hour, and it results in missed work, missed appointments and significant loss of earnings.

“We believe that innovative, collaborative solutions are possible. Successful transport models exist worldwide, and with teamwork, we can create a system that works for everyone.”

A Lochaber Chamber of Commerce member commented: “People in Lochaber pay the same Council Tax as people in Inverness, and the same taxes as everyone else, but we do not get an equal share of the public services, especially essential investment in transport infrastructure.”

Some of Lochaber’s popular tourism ‘hotspots’ are struggling to cope with a lack of alternative travel options for visitors. John Currie, Visitor Services Manager at the National Trust Visitor Centre in Glenfinnan, sees transport problems negatively affecting visitors’ experiences every day.

John Currie said: “Glenfinnan is the busiest visitor attraction outside of the central belt, and it’s been the busiest year ever for us, with visitor numbers continuing to increase year-on-year. There is often no parking available after early morning, and most visitors arriving in the afternoon are leaving disappointed, unable to stop in Glenfinnan.

“An effective integrated transport plan could alleviate pressure by allowing people to travel by train or bus instead, but the provision is nowhere near up to the challenge. We work hard to encourage people to visit Glenfinnan without a car, but we need the right trains at the right times so that people can visit the sites and leave at a reasonable time. The buses that pass through are often full so it’s especially hard for people to effectively plan their journey.”