An estimated £18 million programme of essential works is to be started next year on the Kessock Bridge to bring the key route into Inverness and the North of Scotland up to modern standards and ensure public safety.

The road surface on the bridge, which carries 30,000 vehicles every day, has reached the end of its working life and the need for ad-hoc repairs has become increasingly disruptive to traffic. It is now necessary to intervene and resurface the bridge in its entirety, saving motorists time lost to emergency roadworks that would otherwise be increasingly required without undertaking these essential repairs.

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A programme of works has been planned to upgrade the bridge under a single contract and this will commence in February 2013 and last until June 2014.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "These works are absolutely essential but we are fully aware of the disruption they will cause on this busy route. We are committed to minimising disruption while the repairs are underway and have been liaising with stakeholders to explore the various mitigation options available."

(GK)