New construction jobs in the Highlands are to be created through the agreement of £55m funding for the West Link project.

The Highland Council received planning permission to complete the Inverness West Link road between the Dores roundabout and the A82 at Torvean in April last year. The development will cross the River Ness and is aimed at removing traffic congestion in the city centre.

The Council said it expects almost £4 in economic benefit will be achieved for every £1 spent on building the road. The cost of the development is reported at £36.6m. Due to the extended construction programme, with works anticipated to be completed in 2020/21, an allocation in the capital programme of £43.35m was approved.

The main construction for stage 1 (east of the canal) is due to begin in spring 2016, with completion expected in late 2017. Stage 2 would be completed in 2020 following the relocation of the golf course.

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The Highland Council has also approved enhanced sports facilities through the project. Funding has been agreed for the rugby pitches and facilities at Canal Parks at £4.1m, while £8.2m has been agreed for the redevelopment of Torvean Golf Course.

SportScotland funding of £0.5m will be applied for towards the project. The Scottish Rugby Union has indicated £100k may also be available. Completion is expected in 2018.

A planning application for the detailed layout and design of the golf course development was submitted on 23 January 2015. The golf course will be located within one area of land north of the A82. The new course is programmed to become playable in 2019.

Chair of Planning Development and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Thomas Prag said: "Council agreed that Option 6 was the right option and that this was an opportunity to aspire for something better by asking for enhanced sports facilities for the benefit of the whole of Inverness. It is important to recognise that the additional funding is for the enhancement we asked for. The project also frees up substantial amounts of land which gives us significant additional opportunities."

Provost Alex Graham said: “The plans we have seen today are more than I could have ever envisaged. We have a magnificent hot spot in the East with the Centre for Health Science and Inverness Campus and we now have the opportunity to have a magnificent hot spot in the west with such a range of world class sports facilities. These projects would also bring significant numbers of jobs to the city."

(IT)