Forum shows City unity in demand for bypass - Alexander

12.00.00am GMT Tue 16th Feb 2010

A community wide forum on the Inverness bypass, hosted at the Town House last night by local MP Danny Alexander, showed that the City is united in demanding that the bypass be completed.

Mr Alexander called the Forum to bring together representatives across the City to maintain the pressure for the bypass, for which funding for the western end was refused by the Scottish government. The forum was attended by local politicians of all parties - including MSPs Dave Thompson and Mary Scanlon, both of whom made very positive contributions - community councillors, representatives of the local business community, and many concerned local residents.

Speaking after the event, Mr Alexander said:

"I am very grateful indeed to all those who attended the event last night. The contributions from all sides clearly demonstrated that the people of Inverness are united in demanding the bypass that our City desperately needs. The cross-party, cross-community unity should send a very powerful signal to the powers that be that we will not allow this project to be forgotten.

"It was clear from the meeting that there is good dialogue between the Highland Council and the Scottish government on this issue, but we need this to bear fruit. There was agreement at the meeting that we should press for wider community engagement in the stakeholder forum that has been established, so that the local voice can be heard by those involved in delivering the project.

"There was also agreement that we need to keep up the campaigning pressure on this issue. Whether locally, on the council, or in the Scottish and Westminster parliaments, there are many channels available for the campaign which we will all exploit. But in doing so we need to remember that whatever our differences with those who control the purse strings, as a City we are united. We have a strong case and we must be persistent."

ENDS