2,004,709 free bus journeys by young people in the Highlands

 Mr and Mrs Gurnmeister live the bus pass dream too, being over sixty and quite often go somewhere for a coffee and a bit of shopping. Has the time come to go the whole way and make all bus journies free in Scotland - if we want to get people out of their cars the would this be a good thing to do? 

Anyway, here's a press release from the Scottish Green MSP Ariane Burgess

"Free bus travel for everyone under 22 will have a huge impact for young people travelling in the Highlands over Christmas, says Ariane Burgess, the Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands & Islands.

Since the scheme was launched in January 2022, young people in The Highlands have taken 2,004,709 free journeys, using their free bus pass which allows them to travel anywhere in Scotland.

Scotland is the only country in the UK to offer free bus travel for all young people, which was introduced following negotiations between the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Government.

An incredible 700,000 young people across Scotland have been able to take over 100 million free bus journeys in total.

Ariane Burgess, the Scottish Green MSP for the Highlands & Islands said: “This can be an expensive time of year for young people and their families, making free bus travel even more vital. 

“It will allow young people to visit their family and friends, and is opening up our community and our country. It’s a big boost for our environment, and will be cutting our emissions and reducing the numbers of cars on the road.

“Every free bus journey means more money in people’s pockets, which will be hugely welcome for families who are being hit with bigger bills and extra costs over winter. But free bus travel is not just for Christmas, it is supporting families across the Highlands all year round.

“It is one of the proudest and most positive achievements of devolution, and I am delighted that it has been delivered with Scottish Greens in government.

“I want every young person to have the same fantastic benefits and opportunities. I am delighted that so many young people have already signed up and encourage all of those who have yet to do so to visit Freebus.scot and register for their card today.”

New Nairn Academy planning application lodged

 Highland Council Press Release:

A planning application has been submitted for the erection of a replacement secondary school, car parking, sports pitches and demolition of the existing Nairn Academy.

Balfour Beatty has been appointed as the design and build contractor and Reiach And Hall Architects are the Council’s agents working in conjunction with the Council's in-house Property teams to deliver the project.

A replacement school building for Nairn Academy was included in Phase 2 of the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme announced in December 2020, and funding for the project is included in the reprofiled capital programme approved by Council in January 2021.

The planning application for the replacement Nairn Academy can be viewed on the Council’s online eplanning website at: https://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/ (external link) by putting 23/05756/FUL in the search where public comment can be made.

More information about the project can be found on the Council’s website at this link (external link).

The new building is programmed to be operational from August 2026 with the demolition of the existing building and external works to follow.

A roundabout for the entrance to Ardersier Port (the old McDermotts yard) on the B9092 Nairn to Ardersier

Councillor Paul Oldham in his latest newsletter brings us a wealth of information about what the Highland Council have been up to; "£108 million of cuts to come over three years," for instance. You can read his latest news letter here. 

Via a couple of paragraphs and a couple of links he shows us what is planned for the top of the road on the B9092 and for Ardersier Port in general if all goes well. 

Mnay readers will remember the days of the shifts clocking on and off at McDermotts and the large volumes of traffic that generated. It will be interesting to see how many jobs are created at the port but if we see similar volumes of traffic coming and going in the future it is hard to see how the A96 as it is presently constituted  could cope without further long delays. Paul does say: "They also want to build a roundabout on the A96 at junction with the road down to the port but that will come later." 

Of course in an ideal world there would be access to an all singing and dancing Nairn Bypass where the later roundabout might go making access to the Port a lot simpler. We do seem to be back in the realms of people suggesting that a by-pass will never be seen in their lifetime however. Last week in Holyrood Fergus Ewing asked the Deputy First Minister: "By what year will the contstruction of the Nairn by-pass be completed? He got a long answer talking about commintments etc but he didn't get a definite year date in response. 

We live in interesting times and if you walk alongside the A96 on some of these still frosty days you get a good whiff of exhaust fumes in the air. A by-pass would be a really good thing to have.

Nairn redevelopment opportunity at Courthouse Lane

 Highland Council Press Release:

"The Highland Council has a redevelopment opportunity at 3-5 Courthouse Lane, Nairn (former finance office) that is planned to be for sale early 2024, and to ensure maximum opportunities, welcomes interest from private/commercial buyers and Community led organisations that may consider a Community Asset Transfer (CAT).

The property is located on Courthouse Lane, near to Nairn High Street with amenities and parking close by. Built in 1848, the property is a blond sandstone, Grade B listed building extending to approximately 98.00 sq m (1,055 sq ft), together with an area for parking to the front. Most recently the property has been used as an office within Class 4 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1997. However, the property may be suitable for a variety of alternative uses, subject to planning.

Viewing Arrangements will be by prior arrangement only. Please contact: property.sales@highland.gov.uk

Asking Price: Offers invited.

Rateable Value & Business Rates: The site is understood to have a rateable value of £9,000. The 2023/24 Annual Business Rate is 49.8p. If you believe you may be exempt of liability for Non Domestic Rates, it is your responsibility to apply for the appropriate exemption. EPC Rating - G. Submission of Offers: A closing date by which offers must be submitted may be fixed later. Prospective purchasers should “note interest” to be notified of any closing date. All offers should be submitted in standard Scottish legal by email to property.offers@highland.gov.uk.

The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 aims to empower communities by giving them control over assets so they can work together to make better communities.

The Community Asset Transfer (CAT) guidance available here (external link), provides an overview of the process and sources of further information."

Moray car share locating a vehicle in Nairn for a six-month trial

 

If you are based in #Nairn and would be interested in our car-sharing scheme, please click the link for more information: https://t.co/1xx0SH5SaR#TravelInNairn #NairnTransport #AffordableTransport #NairnCommunity #NairnScotland pic.twitter.com/wUAYV0G344

— Moray Carshare (@MorayCarshare) November 22, 2023

A Community Newspaper for Nairnshire - Large turnout at Public Meeting - project to move forward after overwhelming expression of support

The meeting in the main hall of the community centre on Thursday night was very well attended with around 150 people who had come along to hear what the steering group had to say. They heard from all of the steering group in turn about various aspects of the research so far and how the next steps might proceed. The project will be a community owned ‘SCIO’ (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) with a two-tier system of governance. Board and Members. The steering group are now looking for further volunteers to register and help bring a community newspaper into being.

There was a Q&A session after the intros and update and many positive suggestions were made
It was evident how much the Nairnshire Telegraph was missed by the community and there is an overwhelming willingness to proceed and create another paper for the benefit of the community.

 

You can see a copy of the slideshow used here. A few words delivered to the meeting by the Gurnmeister here. Below is the QR code to take you to an online Google form to register your interest as a volunteer for the future paper or perhaps you may prefer simply the link. Please get involved folks, there’s a lot to be done but the result will be worth it. Members and trustees wanted, whether you have previous Newspaper skills or not - all welcome.


More news soon.

Countdown to Christmas will take place on Saturday, November 25 - lights switch on - two markets, live performances, street theatre and a Santa’s grotto

Community is at the heart of this year;s Christmas Lights Switch on in Nairn which will incorporate two markets, live performances, street theatre and a Santa’s grotto.

Countdown to Christmas, which will take place on Saturday, November 25 is being supported by a number of local businesses who have given donations to help the event go ahead.

Sainsbury’s, McDonald’s and the Co-Op are supporting the Santa’s Grotto with chocolatey gifts for the children who visit him at Nairn Library whilst Nairn Golf Club have made a financial donation to the event and West Country Trees has gifted three Christmas trees to the town.

The event will kick off at 10am with the lights being switched on at 4pm. It will take place over two locations, the Town Centre and Nairn Community & Arts Centre.

The event is being organised for a fourth year by Nairn Connects BID with support from Inverness Farmers Market and volunteers from the community. 

From left: Isla Thomson, Gordon Holding, Taya MacKenzie, Ali Asher, Hayden Craig, Tracey Botting, Lucy Harding (Nairn BID manager), James Jordan, Iain Fyfe and Morag Holding.

Nairn BID manager Lucy Harding said: “We are once again looking forward to a busy and exciting day over the two locations in Nairn. This event really is about community and bringing people together which is what Christmas is all about too.

“From 10am there will be entertainment from local bands and community groups in both the High Street and at the community centre. This year, our stage will be set up outside the town house with the street market running all the way the along the High Street. We have a circus skills workshop and fire breather which will be located at the Brae, and round on Lepold Street, we will have songs and story time from the Mad Hatters of Moray who will also be mingling with the crowds.

“There will be ponies, huskies and of course the opportunity to shop till you drop at our beautiful shops and of course from the stalls put in place by Inverness Farmers Market.

“The switching on of the lights takes place at 4pm and we have a Christmas decoration competition running for one lucky person to win the chance to switch them on.

“This is the start of the Christmas festivities for the town. We have seen restaurants launching festive menus, there are numerous events on including Twas the Night Before Christmas by CAST a newly formed theatre group and the panto Hansel & Gretel by The Little Theatre and there will also be carols at The Bandstand on the Links which is being supported by Morag and Gordon Holding from The Havelock and Paul Geddes from The Bandstand Bar & Restaurant. There is a lot to look froward to over the coming weeks.”

The Countdown to Christmas event will take place on November 25. Full details and timings are available on the Nairn BID website www.nairnconnects.com.

Nairn The Brae. Sustrans Places for Everyone (PfE) Concept Design Projec

 The Gurn has received the following press release outling how the brae consultation will go forward. It isn't without its critics however and regular readers of Nairn Social media pages will perhaps have discovred that already. Whatever your views there is no a chance to have your say on the High Street Brae's future:

Businesses and the public are being encouraged to attend the first consultation event regarding the possible pedestrianisation of the Brae in Nairn.

The event will take place on Monday, November 27 in the Nairn Community & Arts Centre from 6.30 to 9pm. It will provide an opportunity for the public to have their say and share ideas on how to shape the High Street.

The consultation follows a number of public consultations which were held in Nairn by The Highland Council in 2019 to find out how the local community felt about their town centre. One of the main themes to emerge was how to get around the area with less car dependency.

As result of these consultations, The Highland Council published the Nairn Active Travel Masterplan in 2021 which set out 16 interventions to support the movement of people by walking and cycling.

The aim for Nairn Active Travel Masterplan is to encourage more people to walk, wheel and cycle for their everyday journeys, making car use less dominant. The priorities include creating a walking, wheeling and cycling network, improving the high street pedestrian experience.

The Brae is identified within the masterplan as intervention number five.

To accelerate delivery of these interventions and provide much sought after improvement, during 2022, Nairn Connects Bid, in partnership with the Council submitted an application to Places for Everyone (PfE), an active travel infrastructure programme funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Sustrans Scotland.

The application was successful and £37,000 was secured to push forward with the feasibility study.

This funding will allow the consultants Connected Transport Planning, to explore how active travel can be incorporated into the lower section of High Street and look at options to improve the space and reduce the severance impact of the A96(T) between the Harbour and High Street.

Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee said: “Following successful funding through the scheme, consultants are now in place, and a community consultation event will be held later this month. These events will provide local residents and business operators alike the opportunity to have a say.”

Councillor Michael Green, Chair of the Nairnshire Area Committee, added: “This funding will enable the Council to explore how active travel can be incorporated into the lower section of High Street and explore options to improve the space and reduce the severance impact of the A96 between the Harbour and High Street. I would encourage local people to take part in the community consultation event and share ideas with us on how we can shape the local High Street.”

Nairn BID manager, Lucy Harding said: “This project has been a long time coming and we are delighted that now the funding is in place, things are moving quickly. We urge as many people to come along to give their views.

“The case for pedestrianisation has been raised in the past, but with Highland Council backing the idea in its Active Travel Masterplan, we anticipate a more receptive response in the current climate.

 

North Cup will be on display at Station Park this Saturday 18th

 

📷 Get your picture with the North of Scotland Cup Trophy

A lot of young (& older) fans were keen to get their hands on the trophy and get a photo with it on Sunday.

So, this Saturday at Station Park from 2pm - 2.45pm, the trophy will be on display for photos ahead of kick-off pic.twitter.com/QRGy1EWBXa

— Nairn County FC (@NairnCounty) November 14, 2023

A Community Newspaper for Nairnshire! Public Meeting Thursday 16th November 7.30 for 7.45 pm

Having trouble reading the text, click on image to enlarge.