Residents are being invited to view plans for a sewer main upgrade project in the Highland village of Strathpeffer.

Scottish Water's alliance partner amey-Black & Veatch (aBV) has carried out detailed camera surveys of the sewer and identified areas that will require to be totally replaced by traditional excavation methods due to its condition.

However, Scottish Water said the majority of the sewer in the village centre can be upgraded by using a re-lining method of construction which would reduce the amount of excavations required.

The method is a specialised technique which renews the existing sewer pipe with a new lining (new inner wall), sealing up any small cracks and prolonging the life of the structure. This technique was chosen as it avoids the need for widespread excavation in the road and greatly reduces disruption for the local community.

Between the bottom of Garden Brae Terrace and Ulladale Crescent, the condition of the existing sewer means that full replacement is required, but repositioning the sewer in the street will ensure a lane can be kept open via traffic lights.

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The central position of an underground chamber in the junction at the foot of Garden Brae Terrace means that the A834 will have to be closed for a period of up to three weeks, starting in late January.

Residents are now being encouraged to attend an information event discussing the plans from 3.30pm - 7.30pm at Strathpeffer Community Centre on Wednesday, 29 November.

aBV's Project Manager Andrew Monaghan said: "This work has been carefully planned during the course of this year and we are very grateful for the constructive engagement that has already taken place with representatives of the local community.

"We recognise that our work will cause disruption and have pursued a range of options in order to reduce this to a minimum.  In consultation with the community, we have planned the work to begin in late January in order to avoid impacting on the Christmas period, the annual Strathpuffer event or the busiest time for tourism.

"We regret that we have not been able to identify a safe way to complete the most challenging phase of our work without closing a short section of the A834 for a time. With our contractor, we are seeking to minimise the period of the closure and to ensure we can maintain access to nearby homes.We are also working with the school, community centre and doctors' surgery to ensure that safe pedestrian access is available."

Gavin Steel of Scottish Water added: "I would very much encourage anyone who would like to find out more to come along to our event on Wednesday 29th November and discuss the planned work with our team."

(LM/MH)