Work begins today to divert vital services in the Highlands to make way for the new flood scheme at the River Ness.

The scheme is being implemented to protect some 800 homes and 200 businesses in Inverness.

The vital preparation work will impact on the Ness Bridge at its junction with Castle Road, Bank Street and Bridge as well as on Hunty Street, between Young Street and Greig Street.

The Highland Council has advised commuters that work will be carried out overnight on 19, 20 and 21 November at the Ness Bridge/Castle Road/Bank Street/Bridge Street junction.

Trench work and duct laying will be carried out across the Ness Bridge junction to prepare for the diversion of 33,000 volt cables for SSE.

-- Advertisement --

Work is also due on Huntly Street between Young Street and Wells Street on 22 November to excavate a trench and lay a replacement water main.

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."

Coffey Construction has been given the contract to carry out works to divert services on both sides of the River Ness between the Ness Bridge and Friar’s Bridge.

They are due to be completed by spring 2013.

19 November is the deadline set by the Council for contractors to record interest in receiving tender documents for the £13m, first-phase contract for the construction of the flood defence scheme.

The River Ness Flood Scheme is reported to cost £24.75m and is expected to be completed by April 2015.

(IT)