River Ness Flood Scheme Update

17th November 2012

Work on diverting vital Services beside the River Ness to pave the way for the flood defences which will protect 800 homes and 200 businesses in Inverness will impact next week on the Ness Bridge at its junction with Castle Road, Bank Street and Bridge as well as on Huntly Street, between Young Street and Greig Street.

The travelling public are advised that work will be carried out overnight (8pm - 6 am) on Monday (19 November), Tuesday (20 November) and Wednesday (21 November) at the Ness Bridge/Castle Road/Bank Street/Bridge Street junction. Trench work and duct laying across the Ness Bridge junction in preparation for the diversion of 33,000 volt cables for SSE will be carried out. The cables will be installed at a later date. Traffic management measures will be in place on the bridge to accommodate traffic movements, which will be maintained during the works which are being timed to minimise disruption in the centre of the city.

Work will also commence in Huntly Street between Young Street and Wells Street on Thursday (22 November) to excavate a trench and lay a replacement water main. There will be no disruption to water or other utility supplies during this phase of the works, but closure of Huntly Street in sections will be necessary as follows :-

· 22 November to 3 December. Huntly Street between Young Street and Greig Street road will be closed to through traffic.

· 4 December to 10 December. Huntly Street between Grieg Street and Celt Street road will be closed to through traffic.

· 11 December to 18 December. Huntly Street between Celt Street and Wells Street/Friar Place road will be closed to through traffic.

Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout Huntly Street during the works.

Letters have been hand delivered to affected premises detailing alternative access and parking arrangements.

A Council spokesman said: "We would like to thank the public for their patience and co-operation since works commenced on diverting services on Bank Street on 29 October. We have received enquiries from the public but we are pleased to report that disruption has been kept to a minimum and this is in great measure due to the public adjusting to the closure of Bank Street."

The works to divert Services on both sides of the River Ness between the Ness Bridge and Friar's Bridge are being carried out for The Highland Council by Coffey Construction Ltd. They are due to complete the works by spring of next year.

Meanwhile, the Council has set a deadline of Monday 19 November for contractors to record their interest in receiving tender documents for the first phase of the construction of the flood defence scheme. The value of this contract is an estimated £13 million.

The total cost of the River Ness Flood Scheme, including streetscape and public arts features, is £24.75 million. Expected completion date for the scheme is April 2015.