The Highland Council is advising motorists that the first phase of works on the River Ness Flood Scheme will begin today, starting with the diversion of water mains on Huntly Street in Inverness.

The street between Young Street and Greig Street will now close until 3 December.

Work should have begun on Thursday 22 November, but the Council says it was delayed in order to focus resources on the Ness Bridge at Castle Road, where additional works were identified during the diversion of essential services.

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Now, works between Ness Bridge and Greig Street will run from 26 November to 3 December. Section two of the scheme will see work carried out between Greig Street and Celt Street from 4 December to 10 December and the final section will involve work between Celt Street and Wells Street from 11 December to 19 December.

A new water main will be installed along Huntly Street. When these works have been finished, the contractor will get to work in early 2013 to lay new gas services along Huntly Street.

The Highland Council says the installation of these new services is necessary as part of the River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme.

As the road is closed in sections, access to and egress from Huntly Street will be provided along the adjacent side streets. Signed diversions will be in place to facilitate works in each section.

Emergency vehicles, Blue Badge holders, businesses and residences will still have access, and pedestrian access will also be maintained throughout Huntly Street during the works.

(IT)