Traffic Report: objections stacking up at the proposed Ghost Island turn-off to Delnies Development

We reported on the re-emergence of the "Ghost Island" proposal back at Christmas time. More information here. 

The idea of such a junction into proposed developments that could include both Sandown and Delnies housing in the future instead of a roundabout is not going down well second time around. 

Just a few bitties plucked from the objections page on the Highland Council's e-planning site:

"The proposed "T" Junction with Ghost Island will be on a stretch of the A96 which is extremely dangerous with heavy traffic at peak times and fast traffic at all times. The T junction is at a point where there is a hollow in the road and east bound traffic travelling fast on the A96 from the Ardersier Junction cannot see west bound cars in this depression. The east bound drivers think the road is clear for overtaking when it is not. Traffic queuing in a ghost island or attempting to exit from the "T" junction is going to be dangerously vulnerable.

The Nairn Bypass has not been built yet and until such time as it has been completed it is impossible to estimate traffic flow on this detrunced section of the A96."

"The very fast road will be a very high accident risk for traffic leaving the housing scheme. For those turning left views will be obstructed by cars waiting to turn right increasing the danger. Drivers will become frustrated and take risks. Interestingly not long after the last Cawdor attempt to set aside the requirement for the roundabout,I was sitting in the ghost lane at the Whiteness junction waiting to turn right. A 4x4 pulled out from behind a lorry and overtook despite my being in his way!"

"There will I assume at peak time in the morning be significant traffic flows from the housing development wanting to turn right towards Inverness and left towards Nairn. Those turning right will usually have to wait several minutes, and a queue will build up behind them, increasing frustration generally and increasing the temptation to "take a chance". Those turning left will have less of a problem, but will have to be aware of the factors I instance above. If this "outward" flow is matched by an "inward" flow from Nairn wanting to turn right, that will make it even more difficult for those coming out and turning right."

Gurnites can read more here on the appliction's e-planning pages on the Highland Council site. There are objections both under the comments tab and also more to read under the documents tab where there are submissions from the Community Councils and the Residents Concern Group and one other.