£505,000 for Coghill Footbridge, Wick Among Council Approved Capital Projects

4th November 2015

Approval for significant programme of capital investment.

The Highland Councils Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee has today (Wed 4 Nov 2015 approved nearly £8 million of capital investment in Town and Countryside regeneration projects throughout Highland over the next nine years. The projects include upgrade of countryside assets, access to and within the countryside, quality public space enhancements, sense of place projects, town and village entrance environments, interpretation and visitor information.

Most significant among the capital allocations are £750,000 for Town Countryside Regeneration Community Initiatives; £550,000 for Inverness Townscape Heritage; £530,000 for Storr Woodland on Skye; £505,000 for Coghill Footbridge, Wick; £475,000 for Highland Scenic Routes; £430,000 for Strathpeffer Spa Gardens; £425,000 for Chanonry Point, Fortrose; £361,000 for Wester Ross Visitor Hubs; £325,000 for Green Infrastructure; and £325,000 for Long Distance Routes.

Commenting on the programme of investment, Chair of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Audrey Sinclair said The projects approved for investment support delivery of a wide range of ‘Highland First priorities. Particularly welcome is the increasing emphasis on a pro-active approach to developing better ways to work with communities and the potential for delivery of significant benefits in remote rural locations. Proposals to capitalise on our superlative scenic heritage are welcome and this package of projects supports our tourist industry right across Highland. I look forward to following the development of some exciting new initiatives in the coming years.

The council paper shows the following projects approved -

TOWN & COUNTRYSIDE CAPITAL PROGRAMME: PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS.
Inverness Castle North Tower £200k
A contribution towards a larger project delivered by the Service's property team. This
project will open up the Castle’s North Tower as a tourist attraction and improve
pedestrian access around the Castle grounds.
Dell of Spey Aviemore (£90k)
This popular site and water feature, in the heart of Aviemore, sits within the portfolio
of countryside facilities. The site is in need of upgrade which will include lighting and
resurfacing.
Inverness Townscape Heritage £550k
The Highland Council received a Townscape Heritage Stage 2 Pass from the
Heritage Lottery Fund on the 24 September 2015. This project has been more fully
reported to PDI Committee (18 February 2015) and annual reports will be provided.
Storr Native Woodland (Staffin) £130k
To date, this project has included the removal of exotic plantation forest, planting of
nearly fifty thousand trees for native woodland restoration and substantial path
upgrades providing access within this Council owned site and through the site to the
Old Man of Storr. There will be ongoing costs to ensure establishment of these trees
and there is the need to upgrade visitor signage and interpretation at this very
popular site.
See also Storr Visitor Management below for further information on additional
proposals for site improvements community partnership / potential community
ownership.
Kyle Steps (Kyle of Lochalsh) £30k
Designs for the upgrade of steps at Kyle Prospect have been prepared and the
Service is working with local CS staff for delivery by the DLO. Existing steps have
been closed for a number of years due to safety issues and there was a strong
desire within the community for upgrade to reopen this valuable pedestrian link
between the Prospect and the village centre car park.
Strathpeffer Spa Gardens £430k
Substantial improvements have already been completed within the gardens including
replacement of rustic fencing and path and handrail upgrades. This has improved
overall safety and provided enhanced all-abilities access. At the request of the
community a new access point has been installed at the west end of the garden
which is expected to increase usage and enjoyment of this village centre site.
Proposals have been prepared for an historically consistent upgrade of the perimeter
fence adjacent to the public road. A significant length of the railing along the A834 is
leaning badly due to soft ground on the gardens side, which drops away steeply, and
accumulated damage and repairs from traffic collisions over a period of years.
In future years, £300k has been allocated with a view to a major upgrade of the
parking area which is falling into significant disrepair and functions very poorly in
relation to current usage of the site. It is expected that delivery of this project will be
dependent upon additional external funding and community partnership working. We
are in liaison with Ward Members in order to identify an appropriate local delivery
mechanism.
Approaching Inverness £170k
This project aims to improve the quality, character and impact of entrances to and
routes through the City of Inverness. The project steering group has identified
options for delivery which will be presented to City of Inverness Area Committee for
consideration. The options include 1) A9 final approaches - Longman roundabout
and start of Longman Road. 2) Clachnaharry – various potential streetscape
measures to complement emerging Muirtown and South Kessock Development
Brief. 3) Telford Street roundabout.
Portree £13k
Upgrade of steps to Bayfield car park and installation of visitor reception area.
Project complete – allocation covers modest overspend carried forward.
Helmsdale £23k
Upgrade of Bridgend Car Park and the provision of all abilities access to the
Emigrant’s Statue adjacent to the A9. Project complete – allocation covers modest
overspend carried forward.
Nairn £130k
A capital allocation of £486k in 2009/10 enabled external funding of £800k to be
secured from Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund for the
regeneration of the Nairn High Street. The sum of £131k remaining in the Service
Capital Programme is the residual sum from completion of these works under
budget. As the residual sum forms part of the bigger TCRF funding package there is
a strong expectation that it should still be spent in Nairn for further regeneration
works on or in close association with the High Street. Liaison with Ward Members
regarding a suitable scope of works has, to date, proved inconclusive and dialogue is
continuing.
Small Scale Facilities Upgrades £300k
The Service manages a portfolio of in excess of 200 countryside sites including
woodlands, car parks, picnic sites, paths, bridges and structures and over five
hundred other minor structures and installations including signage, interpretation
panels and seating. These sites are owned or leased by Highland Council and £300k
has been allocated in future years in anticipation of essential upgrades across the
portfolio.
The management of these sites supports a wide range of Council priorities, in
particular investing in remote rural locations; supporting the economic benefits
derived from tourism; increasing awareness of the Gaelic language (through
appropriate use on information and interpretation facilities); and contributing to health
improvements through access to the countryside.
It is anticipated that upgrades may be required at Lybster Park, Kingsteps Quarry
(Nairn), Longman Bird Hide (Inverness), Noss Head (Wick) and Kyleakin public
realm within the period of the programme, but this generic allocation allows flexibility
and will enable a responsive approach to developing situations.
Town & Countryside Regeneration Community Initiatives £750k
In recognition of the importance of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act
2015 and the developing agenda for increased ‘localism’, £750k has been allocated
to a generic heading Town & Countryside Regeneration Community Initiatives. This
allocation is intended to enable the Service to develop new ways of working in
partnership with communities for the delivery of projects for which there is a strong
drive from within the community, coupled with evidence of both widespread
community support and community capacity to deliver.
It is expected that the scope of such projects will fit within the six project types
identified for the T&CR Capital Programme and that this capital can also be targeted
in support of community initiatives to ‘adopt’ and deliver community ownership or
management of sites within the Service portfolio of countryside facilities. There may
be opportunities for participatory budgeting which will need to be considered on a
project specific basis. Projects will be identified through close liaison with Ward
Members and it is expected that suitable projects will be identified some years in
advance of the years in which allocations have been included in the programme in
recognition of likely long project development phases.
Projects delivered under this heading will have considerable potential to support the
Council’s priorities for realising the full potential of communities, empowering
communities in new and better ways and including opportunities for partnership
working and community land ownership. It is also very likely that the provision of
Council funding for such projects will support the Council’s priorities in enabling best
use of opportunities for European and other external funding. This generic heading
offers the potential for an exciting new approach and development of different
models for delivery of capital investment.
In addition to Storr Woodland and Strathpeffer Spa Gardens, which projects have
been specifically described elsewhere in this Appendix, we are already aware of a
number of other community initiatives which could develop into candidate projects of
this type, for example: Ardgay Village Enhancements (Kyle of Sutherland
Development Trust), Clachtoll Visitor Centre (Coigach Assynt Living Landscape
Partnership), Muir of Ord Village Enhancements (Muir of Ord Community Hall &
Facilities Company).
This generic heading offers the potential for an exciting new approach and
development of different models for delivery of capital investment.
Community Woodland Upgrades £200k
In addition to Storr Woodland and Strathpeffer Spa Gardens, which are described
under separate headings, the Service manages a range of Community Woodland
sites with are owned by Highland Council: Ellan Wood (Carrbridge), Loch Imrich
(Newtonmore), Ralia Woodland (Kingussie), Feshiebridge Woodland, Tradespark
Woodland (Nairn), Mill Pond and Leasgeary Woods (both Portree), Strontian
Woodland, Daviot Woodland, Culloden Drive, Smithton Wood, and Foyers Wood.
These are popular sites, in most cases for both locals and visitors and £200k has
been allocated in future years to this generic heading intended to allow appropriate
upgrades to woodland infrastructure including paths, information and interpretation
infrastructure.
This investment will contribute to Council priorities investing in remote rural locations;
supporting the economic benefits derived from tourism; increasing awareness of the
Gaelic language (through appropriate use on information and interpretation facilities);
and contributing to health improvements through access to the countryside.
Other Town & Countryside Regeneration Projects £100k
An allowance of £100k has been allocated to this generic heading in the last year of
the programme in order to allow the Service to respond to developing demand for
T&CR projects within the context of the six project types to which this programme is
targeted.
Aviemore Orbital £80k
This is an important Core Path, popular with locals, and with a section forming part of
the Speyside Way. It is proposed that path surfacing improvements will be carried
out early in 2016.
Chanonry Point (Fortrose) £425k
Chanonry Point has become a very popular site for dolphin watching, attracting
around 150 thousand visitors each year and making it one of the 10 most visited
attractions in Highland.
Building upon substantial community consultation since 2010, this project will
upgrade the car park facility and create an improved visitor experience through the
introduction of improved surfaces, improved vehicular circulation, disabled bays,
seating, and a clear pedestrian route to the dolphin viewing area. There will be
timber sleeper edging features, with some artist input, and an area with visitor
information/ interpretation panels to encourage visitors to stay longer in the area.
Although the constraints of size and adjacent land ownership have prevented any
additional parking, it is hoped that by marking the bays, they will be used more
efficiently. It has also been an aim to remove the illicit parking on verges, which
regularly causes congestion and disruption.
The programme has been set to avoid the busy tourist season, with an anticipated
start date in early January, and completion by the Easter holidays.
Glen Nevis Visitor Centre (Fort William) £35k
A contribution of £35k has been committed in support of the Nevis Landscape
Partnership (NLP) for the upgrade of visitor interpretation facilities at Glen Nevis
Visitor Centre. This project sits within a portfolio of projects for which the NLP has
been successful in securing Heritage Lottery Funding of up to £1.8 million.
Glen Nevis Visitor Centre is owned by Highland Council but managed by High Life
Highland. This project will be delivered by High Life Highland.
Mallaig Decking £70k
Mallaig Decking is a seating / viewpoint area in the heart of Mallaig overlooking the
harbour. Initiate by a request from the community through Ward Members, this
project has delivered a complete refurbishment of the facility, including an extension
increasing overall capacity by 40%. Highland Council worked in partnership with
Mallaig Harbour Authority and the Community Council for delivery of these works
which have also included restoration of existing street furniture and installation of
benches, planters and community noticeboards. The project is nearing completion.
Dunnet Head & Dunnet Beach £118k
This project provides all-abilities improvements and environmental upgrades at both
Dunnet Bay and Dunnet Head, including improved all-abilities parking, removal of
sub-standard steps and replacement with graded paths, other path upgrades,
provision of cycle stands and decorative stone dyke work. The estimated completion
date for is February 2016.
Plock of Kyle (Kyle of Lochalsh) £15k
The Service is working with Kyle of Lochalsh Community Trust for the delivery of
improved local signage for pedestrian access to the Plock Viewpoint. This
contribution supports a successful application by the Trust to the Heritage Lottery
Fund for the delivery of a wider package of community led projects in the area.
Smoo Cave Durness £25k
This project will deliver path upgrades at the Smoo Cave site, which is owned by
Highland Council and attracts in excess of 43000 visitors per annum to this remote
rural area in north west Highland. This work builds upon prior investment in
developing the site as a high quality visitor attraction.
Dubh Lochan Trail Forsinard £10k
A £10k contribution to a £60k RSPB project for the installation of boardwalk for the
Dubh Lochan Trail which is part of the wider Flows to the Future initiative.
Pictish Trail £30k
The Pictish Trail is a tourist driving route extending from Inverness to Caithness and
Sutherland. Installed by Highland Council some years ago, the trail has become
dated and this project aims build upon past investment to develop the route for future
users. It will seek to engage with other providers, such as local museums in order to
maximise external funding opportunities with the potential to develop and deliver
integrated information through the use of museums as hubs (e.g. providing internet
access for downloading an app, route maps, leaflet distribution); new methods of
promoting the route and making it more accessible and interesting to all age groups.
The Service is currently consulting with stakeholders regarding scope of works for
delivery in future years.
Wester Ross Visitor Hubs £361k
An appraisal of opportunities for investment in environmental improvements was
completed earlier this year, which process included widespread community and
stakeholder consultation. Each of the thirteen facilities within the D&I portfolio of
countryside sites were appraised, as were other key sites in the area. This project
now proposes a first phase of delivery to develop a bespoke visitor shelter structure
to be used for information, visitor orientation, interpretation or art work at key sites
including Braemore Junction, Achnasheen and Kishorn.
There is potential for the visitor hub approach to be utilised more widely within this
and other areas and it has potential to complement the North Coast 500 initiative and
the Scottish Government Scottish Scenic Routes initiative. In recognition of this
potential, additional allocations have been made in future years to enable the project
to develop further.
Reiss Beach Access Upgrade £50k
Reiss Beach is a popular destination for both visitors and locals, but presents
challenging site conditions of extreme weather and erosion. This project will deliver
accessible and safe beach access together with a general upgrade to arrival area.
Storr Visitor Management (Staffin) £400k
This allocation is intended to make a substantial contribution to essential, significant
visitor management improvements at Storr, which it is anticipated can be delivered
through an innovative approach to working in partnership with the local community
through the Staffin Community Trust. Whilst the allocation is insufficient in itself to
enable delivery, it is intended to enable the community and Council to secure
significant external funding.
Staffin Community Trust (SCT) has a strong interest in greater involvement at Storr
as a ‘gateway to Staffin’ and a positive working relationship has been established
between Highland Council (including Ward Members), SCT, Highlands & Islands
Enterprise Community Assets Team and the Community Ownership Support
Service. Members of the Projects & Facilities Team have undertaken a number of
research trips together with representatives of SCT in order to explore partnership
models for delivery appropriate to Storr and dialogue is continuing with a view to
establishing a mechanism for joint delivery.
This is an exciting project with potential to deliver significantly to a variety of Council
priorities, not only realising the full potential of communities, involving and
empowering communities in new and better ways through both partnership working
and community land ownership, but also delivering positive rural impacts in this
remote location, enabling best use of opportunities for external funding, supporting
the economic benefits derived from tourism through improvements in visitor
experience and contributing to health improvements through promotion of access to
the countryside.
Highland Council ownership at Storr Woodland comprises an 82 hectare site through
which passes Core Path access to the Old Man of Storr as well as a more accessible
circular path. Native woodland restoration is underway and information and
interpretation infrastructure is due for refurbishment (see Storr Native Woodland
above). Storr attracts in the region of 120000 visitors per annum. Allowing for an
average daily visitor spend of £50 pppn, and given the fact that this is the major
tourist attraction in this remote area, it is reasonable to say that the site supports a
tourism spend in the region of of £6 million per annum. The site ranks third (after
Quiraing and Neist Point) on Tripadvisor for ‘things to do in Skye’.
There are no toilet facilities at Storr which is to the detriment of both the quality of the
environment and the visitor experience.
Current parking provision at Storr is extremely inadequate. The small car park and
roadside layby were supplemented in 2015 by an extension to the layby, so doubling
the number of spaces from 23 to 46. Traffic survey indicates a peak parking demand
approaching 80 cars with vehicle movements are frequently unsafe placing
pedestrians at risk. Safety concerns are exacerbated by widespread verge parking
which adds to the dangers for both drivers and pedestrians.
Whilst there has been significant past capital investment in this site, it is now
recommended that further substantial investment is essential to manage the issues
arising out of such high visitor numbers. The intention is not to increase the number
of people visiting the site, but to adequately attempt to manage those who are
visiting, particularly in respect of road safety and environmental health.
Preliminary investigations have been undertaken and proposals drafted for
development of the former timber loading area into a new car parking area providing
up to 76 additional parking spaces. Further investigations are underway in relation to
these proposals which are complicated by extreme peat depths and slump
topography. Early construction cost estimates for the likely preferred option are in the
region of £500k.
Research is underway into the most cost effective approach for delivery of toilet
facilities at Storr, these now being considered not just desirable, but absolutely
essential. Although no cost estimates are currently available, these can reasonably
be expected to be significant and with ongoing revenue expenditure implications for
running costs.
Strathnaver Trail £20k
The aspiration for this project is to work with the Strathnaver Museum staff and
volunteers in Bettyhill to make improvements to the Strathnaver Trail that will attract
more visitors to the area and make the trail a key local attraction. This might include
the addition of new sites, developing new interpretation and upgrading
infrastructure. There is potential to apply for LEADER funding to help support this
project and the scope will be explored further for delivery in future years.
Foyers Viewpoint £150k
This Council owned site attracts in excess of 60000 visitors per annum and is
popular with both tourists and locals. Past investment has included visitor reception
infrastructure, path upgrades, interpretation and viewpoint structures. The latter are
fairly modest, limited in capacity and anticipated to require upgrade within the period
of this capital programme.
This project is intended to complement existing facilities with a more dramatic visitor
experience by the installation of enhanced viewpoint/s. The site is located on the
busy tourist route south of Loch Ness and it is anticipated that this project may have
potential fit with Scottish Government Scottish Scenic Routes initiative, so enabling
added value through external funding.
North Kessock Viewpoint £200k
The existing ‘portacabin’ installation at the A9 northbound North Kessock car park,
currently occupied by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), is
coming to the end of its serviceable life. In addition, WDCS have intimated their
intention not to renew their current tenancy of the property. The original purpose of
this installation was to enable provision of a visitor information hub relating to dolphin
watching in the Beauly / Moray Firth area.
This project is proposed to replace the existing installation with an alternative
unmanned iconic viewpoint installation and visitor hub together with improved
signage providing better linkage with the village of North Kessock located below. The
intention is to provide a high quality visitor experience on this busy route north and it
is anticipated that this may have potential fit with Scottish Government Scottish
Scenic Routes initiative, so enabling added value through external funding.
Highland Scenic Routes £475k
Members have previously been made aware of the Scottish Government Scenic
Routes (SSR) initiative, a mobile exhibition of pilot projects also having been recently
on display at Headquarters. With pilot projects now complete or preparing for
installation, it is anticipated that the SSR initiative will launch more widely from 2016
onwards. Generic capital allocations have been made in future years to enable
Highland Council to put forward appropriate proposals. The Service portfolio of
countryside sites includes a number of locations which may have the potential for
enhancement within the likely scope of the initiative.
Potential projects might be of widely varying magnitude from small scale ‘elegant
parking places’ to iconic installations, but all would support the economic benefits
derived from tourism through improvements in visitor experience and developing
Highland as a world class destination. Projects delivered under this generic heading
also have a high potential to contribute to Council priorities for positive rural impacts
and enabling best use of opportunities for external funding.
The Service has undertaken considerable research in relation to models for delivery
of the pilot projects and is currently instigating direct dialogue with Scottish
Government regarding potential opportunities within Highland. Four sites believed to
have high potential are discussed elsewhere in this Appendix (Storr, Wester Ross,
Foyers and North Kessock), but there is considered to be wide potential elsewhere
and this is a potentially exciting opportunity for projects to complement Highlands
world class scenic quality.
Cairngorm National Park £100k
An allowance has been allocated in future years to enable the Service to work in
partnership with the Cairngorm National Park Authority in response to developing
demands for capital investment within the Park within the context of the six project
types to which this programme is targeted.
Other Visitor Management Projects £50k
An allowance has been allocated to this generic heading in the last year of the
programme in order to allow the Service to respond to developing demand for Visitor
Management projects within the context of the six project types to which this
programme is targeted.
Bighouse Bridge Upgrade (Melvich) £185k
Highland Council is responsible for this structure which is currently in unsafe
condition and has been closed to the public for some time. The bridge lies on a Core
Path (SU19.05) providing access across the River Halladale at Melvich beach. The
Service has appointed structural engineering consultants to develop detailed
proposals for upgrade.
Ballachulish Inclined Plane £145k
This project focuses on the Ballachulish Inclined Plane (Slate Arch) which is the last
visible structural remnant of the Ballachulish slate quarry. The arch is a Scheduled
Ancient Monument so of national significance, but currently in poor condition. The
project will deliver urgent consolidation works in order to safeguard the monument
and maintain it in a safe condition. In addition a range of activities for local people
and visitors aimed at interpreting the inclined plane and its significance, including
unified interpretation and orientation infrastructure; new interactive on-site
interpretation aimed at families with young children and those with special needs; an
oral history project; a traditional slate skills training workshop for local participants;
and path upgrades to all abilities standard.
Close working with the local community has facilitated external funding towards this
project from both Heritage Lottery (£88,100) and Historic Scotland (£77,897) towards
overall project costs of £277K.
Of particular note in the context of Highland First is the relevance of the oral history
project to the Gaelic language with the workshop attracting coverage from BBC Alba.
Glen Nevis Footbridge (Fort William) £150k
An allocation of £150k has been made in support of Nevis Landscape Partnership
(NLP) for the installation of a new all-abilities footbridge across the River Nevis in
close proximity to the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre. This is a 50% (approx.) contribution
to the total cost of the new installation and removal of the old structure which has
reached the end of its serviceable life. This project sits within a portfolio of projects
for which the NLP has been successful in securing Heritage Lottery Funding of up to
£1.8 million.
The existing footbridge is owned by Highland Council, which is delivering this project
and will take ownership of the new structure once installed. The new footbridge will
provide enhanced access to the Ben Nevis path and will be an integral part of new
all-abilities path provision in the vicinity of the River Ness.
Coghill Footbridge Wick £505k
Ownership of this substantial footbridge is unclear, it having been ‘gifted to the
people of Wick in 1893’, but it is in significantly deteriorating condition. Following
TECS agreement to adopt and thereafter maintain the bridge following upgrade,
PED Committee (January 2012) allocated £120k capital towards upgrade. Technical
options appraisal has subsequently identified the need for complete replacement of
the structure as being the most prudent approach to long term capital
investment. The Service has appointed structural engineering consultants to
develop detailed proposals for a new four span structure, preliminary construction
cost estimates now being £460k to £660k.
Packhorse Bridge Carrbridge £50k
The Service will explore the nature of work required to ensure the long term integrity
of the Packhorse Bridge, Carrbridge, which is owned by Highland Council. The
Service seeks to stimulate a community led initiative for the long term management
of this iconic structure and the modest capital allocation is intended as ‘seed’ funding
in support of such an initiative.
Old Spey Bridge Grantown on Spey £50k
The Service will explore the nature of work required to ensure the long term integrity
of the Old Spey Bridge, Grantown, which is in partial ownership of Highland Council.
The Service seeks to stimulate a community led initiative for the long term
management of this structure and the modest capital allocation is intended as ‘seed’
funding in support of such an initiative.
Other Miscellaneous Assets, Bridges and Structures £200k
An allowance has been allocated to this generic heading in future years of the
programme in order to allow the Service to respond to developing demand for capital
investment in countryside assets, bridges and structures for which the Service is
responsible.
Millburn Road (Inverness) £50k
Contribution to Millburn Road Active Travel Route. Project completed 2014/15 but
costs to be drawn down 2015/16.
Green Infrastructure £325k
This allocation supports an application to the Green Infrastructure Fund for the
delivery of the Council’s ‘Space by the Water’ project.
Ardersier Path £52k
Due for completion in 2015/16 in response to a Community Council request, this new
high specification tarmac path links the bus turning circle and picnic site north of
Ardersier and supports the development of A96 coastal and landward trails.
Long Distance Routes £325k
Current expenditure is targeted to the replacement of two footbridges at Inverlochy
on the Great Glen Way and essential upgrades on both the Speyside Way and West
Highland Way. Allocations in future years recognise the inevitable need for additional
works on these significant routes over time.
Other Green Networks, Core Paths & Long Distance Route Projects £100k
An allowance has been allocated to this generic heading in future years of the
programme in order to allow the Service to respond to developing demand for green
network and access related projects within the context of the six project types to
which this programme is targeted.