The Inverness South West Flood Relief Scheme has now been completed, marking the end of a £16m project which could protect up to 600 homes from the risk of flooding.

Flood flows which would have normally passed through the Culduthel, Lochardil, Drummond and Hilton areas will now be diverted to outfall into the River Ness via the Holm Burn.

Construction began summer 2010 at the River Ness, with the first and second phases having been completed by George Leslie Ltd.

Phase 3 was finished by Global Construction Ltd. and Phase 4 by RJ Macleod Ltd. Holm Burn Bridge was built by Balfour Beatty.

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AECOM were the designers, with the works having been supervised by the Highland Council.

The replacement of Holm Burn Bridge on Dores Road is intended to increase its flood capacity.

Developers helped fund the widening of the bridge and provision of a cycleway to access a proposed adjacent development.

Councillor Graham Phillips, Chairman of the Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services said: "This is a major project for the city and represents a significant investment in flood mitigation measures to deal with exceptional weather flood events that we are increasingly experiencing."

The Highland Council is also undertaking a £24.75m project to protect 800 homes and 200 businesses in the city centre from flooding.

Preparatory works for the River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme between Ness Bridge and Friars Bridge are already under way, in readiness for the construction of the flood defences.

(IT)