Capital Investment For Highland Communities
18th September 2012
Capital investment by the Highland Council over the last 18 months has delivered £1.6 million of environmental improvement projects across Highland communities.
Members of today's PED Committee had the opportunity to see photos of some of the projects which have been implemented by the Planning and Development Service in support of economic development.
Some of the completed capital projects include improving public spaces such as the streetscape works at Beauly, Inverlochy and Fort Augustus, as well as improvements made to the centre of Dornoch, Am Pollen Park in Ullapool and to the villages of Inver and Munlochy.
Other projects have focused on creating attractive entrance environments such as the Culloden Avenue gateway and interpretation project, two new features installed on the outskirts of Gairloch and new interpretation at the Tongue causeway in Sutherland.
Public access projects have included improvements to Lily Lochs near Muir of Ord, an upgrade to Kiltearn Bridge by Evanton, better access for walkers to the Gairloch sand dunes, a replacement bridge at Rogie Falls, interpretations work to promote the Wild Coastal Trail and work to improve public access to the Caithness Countryside Ranger base at Dunnet .
Chairman of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee, Councillor Thomas Prag welcomed the update given today to the Committee. He said: "Some of the projects involve quite modest investments individually but the amount of investment overall is significant and reflects the council's commitment to support the sustainable economic growth of local communities. Today we got to see before and after photos and it was good to visually see how much an impact work has had locally.
"The wide range and scope of the projects over the last year and a half is impressive and translates into tangible improvements on the ground. Not only does this give our communities an economic boost but we are creating much improved experiences for our visitors."
Projects in preparation during the current financial year include environmental improvements in Helmsdale, Wick, Thurso, Dunnet, Ballachulish and Strathpeffer.
Full details can be seen at
http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/0926F820-8E16-4D05-873F-A81097292A47/0/Item6ped4912.pdf
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