The Highland Council has said it will need to extend the closure of Bank Street, between Fraser Street and Friars Lane, until May in order to allow the River Ness Flood Alleviation and Streetscape Scheme to get back on track.

Initially, the local authority had planned to reopen Bank Street to through traffic between Ness Bridge and Academy Street on 10 February. This would have coincided with work commencing on the second phase of the Kessock Bridge Resurfacing Project.


However, the flood scheme has fallen behind schedule after encountering problems.

The decision to extend the closure has been based on an agreement with the Council and local businesses which is to try and complete the flood alleviation scheme and streetscape works as quickly as possible and to avoid the peak summer months.

In addition to the above, the local authority has said that on the opposite side of the river, Huntly Street is currently closed to traffic between Young Street and Greig Street and also between Celt Street and Balnain Street to allow flood wall construction works to take place.

Works will continue in sections with phased closures between side streets until the works have been completed.

(JP/CD)