Drivers who regularly use Kessock Bridge have been alerted to upcoming permanent road improvements by Transport Scotland.

Work will begin in February on the £13.2m development of the 30-year-old bridge, in order to bring it up to modern standards.

Transport Scotland has warned drivers of the following changes:

- There will be new traffic lights in place at the Longman Roundabout (south of Kessock Bridge), Rose Street Roundabout and at the junction of Henderson Road/Longman Road.

- A dedicated bus lane will be put in place on the A9 south running from the south of Tore Roundabout to the Kessock Bridge.

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- A dedicated southbound slip road will also be constructed from Stadium Road to the A9 south. Drivers should be aware this is for left hand turns only and right hand turns will not be permitted for cars.

- A dedicated bus lane will also be in place at Stadium Road approaching Longman Roundabout.

All changes will be in place before the main work begins on Monday 11 February. Contractor Balfour Beatty will start to place cones on the road from 22:00 onwards on Saturday 9 February in preparation for the works commencing on 11 February.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "This major programme of repairs to the Kessock Bridge has been years in the planning and we have liaised closely with the local council to identify the best ways of minimising disruption.

"Extensive traffic modelling and advice from local roads officials found that improvements to nearby roads and junctions, together with measures to improve public transport, would be the most effective ways of reducing congestion.

"That said, there is no getting away from the fact that road works on the bridge will increase journey times noticeably so commuters should consider other means of transport if they want to avoid being stuck in traffic."

(IT)