£22.5m Inverness West Link stage 1 contract awarded

9th March 2016

Photograph of £22.5m Inverness West Link stage 1 contract awarded

The Inverness West Link project has reached another very important milestone in its delivery. The Highland Council has awarded the Inverness West Link Stage 1 and the Canal Parks Enhancement contract to Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd with a value of £22.5M. The Council is content with the award value as it represents an extremely competitive price and relates well to estimates prepared in advance of the tender.

Arrangements are in hand with Wills Bros to allow an early start on the works to be progressed. The works are scheduled to be completed in late 2017.

Welcoming the award of the contract Cllr Audrey Sinclair, Chair of the Highland Council's Planning Development and Infrastructure committee said:"This award of contract is a major step which will see the construction of the final phase of the Inverness Southern Distributor Road linking the Dores Road roundabout to Glenurquhart Road. It will provide an alternative east-west route across the city of benefit to locals and the wider Highlands. It will also help relieve city centre congestion and provide new active travel routes across to the sports facilities at the Bught Park from the east of the city."

Welcoming the award of contract, Provost and Leader of City of Inverness and Area, Cllr Helen Carmichael added:"This road has been in plans for Inverness for over 40 years and will help to facilitate the city's continued growth. The new facilities at Canal Park will provide state of the art facilities for rugby and other sports to the benefit of Inverness and the wider Highlands."

Margaret Davidson, Leader of the Highland Council said:“This will provide a welcome boost to the local economy at a time when there are job losses in other sectors such as Oil and Gas. The Council’s £1Bn capital programme will continue to support the Highland economy and create the conditions for future prosperity. The West Link project is a key part of helping deliver infrastructure for growth as part of the Council’s Highland First commitments.”

PHOTO
Cllr Audrey Sinclair, Chair of Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee; Provost and Leader of City of Inverness and Area, Cllr Helen Carmichael; Jonathan Wills, Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd; and Colin Howell, Highland Council’s Head of Infrastructure at Dores Road roundabout Inverness.

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Councillors set to challenge huge Highland powerline plan

Highland councillors are set to reaffirm their opposition to a massive new 400kV powerline stretching across the region when they meet today.   The North and South Planning Committees are joining forces to consider the proposed Spittal–Loch Buidhe–Beauly transmission project, one of the biggest electricity infrastructure schemes ever proposed in the Highlands.  

Today : Local Authority

 
Why Are Scottish Pupils Falling Behind England? The PISA Results Demand a Rethink

There are few subjects more important to parents than the education their children receive.  It determines not only what they know when they leave school, but increasingly their opportunities throughout adult life.  

Today : Local Authority

From Abeyance to 18 Candidates: What Has Happened to Latheron, Lybster & Clyth Community Council?” 18 Candidates For 6 Seats

Following the close of nominations on Monday 7 September noon, the statements of persons nominated for each community council have been published on the council’s website.  Now able to confirm that out of 20 Community Councils seeking membership, 15 have formed, 4 have not formed and 1 may require an election as they exceed the number of available vacancies.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Where Will the Cuts Fall? Scotland’s Public Services Face Another Squeeze

The Scottish Government is facing a difficult financial year.  But the real question for councils, NHS boards and other public bodies is simple who will absorb the pressure? The latest Scottish Fiscal Commission report contains an important warning for Scotland's public services.  

7/9/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council opens statutory public consultation on a Tiered Fixed-Amount Visitor Levy proposal

All residents, businesses, community groups and visitors are being encouraged to have their say on a proposal for a tiered fixed-rate amount Visitor Levy in Highland.  The public consultation survey is now open (Monday 7 September) for a 12-week statutory period.  

6/9/2026 : Local Authority

Highland's £2.1 Billion Promise - Big Plans Meet a Very Different Financial Reality

£2.1 billion is a difficult number for most people to comprehend.   It is so large that it can make almost any announcement sound impressive.  

4/9/2026 : Local Authority

 
Eilidh Primrose is the New Highland Youth Convener

The Highlands has a new young people’s champion after confirmation that Eilidh Primrose has taken up the role of Highland Youth Convener for 2026-27.   Twenty-two-year-old Eilidh, who lives in Inverness, is the 18th person appointed to the position and has taken over from Leah McBain.  

1/9/2026 : Local Authority

What Changes in Highland Today? New Rules for Private Hire Drivers and a Fresh Garden Waste Year

For most people in Highland, 1 September is simply the start of another month.  But today also marks the beginning of two changes introduced by Highland Council which will affect different groups of residents.  

2/9/2026 : Local Authority

 
Candidates for Highland Council Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness By-Election confirmed

Following today’s deadline for nominations, The Highland Council can confirm the details of the 5 candidates that are standing in the Ward 3 Wick and East Caithness by-election.  There are 5 candidaes.  

31/8/2026 : Local Authority

Head Teacher at Thurso High School, outlined measures that have helped improve educational outcomes

Highland Council’s strategy to raise attainment in the region is making good progress, with encouraging early data emerging from this year's examination results.   Last week councillors on the education committee noted the work undertaken in Highland Council's Education and Learning Improvement Plan (ELIP) and the associated Raising Attainment and Achievement Strategy (RAAS).