The first phase of a £500,000 environmental project to enhance the High Street area of Nairn will start on Monday 13 April.

The Highland Council's Planning and Development Service has appointed Leiths as contractors to implement Streetscape works along The Brae. Work will start on site on April 13 and last for approximately fourteen weeks. During this period temporary traffic measures will be in place including the closure of The Brae to all vehicular through traffic, except emergency vehicles.

Representatives of both Leiths and The Highland Council will liaise directly with businesses directly affected to ensure adequate vehicular access for deliveries and for vehicles to Ballark Place. Throughout the duration of all works, during trading hours, pedestrian access will be maintained to all shops.

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Leiths proposed working hours will generally be from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday although there may be some evening working up until 8pm to complete pavement work adjoining the shop fronts.

Representatives of businesses within the Brae have been invited to attend regular stakeholder meetings to discuss practical issues arising in order to facilitate progress.

Provost of Nairn, Councillor Liz MacDonald said: "The Highland Council's Planning and Development Service has allocated £500,000 within it’s capital programme for improvements and work in The Brae is the first phase of a major facelift to the High Street.

"Once the work is completed I am sure visitors to Nairn and everyone living and working in the town will benefit from the changes. Now more than ever we need to make our town centre an attraction that encourages people to come and spend both time and money in."

A second phase of work is likely to be completed in the autumn and the extent of subsequent phases will be dependent on funding. It is hoped that Nairn will benefit from the Council’s accelerated capital spending programme, which is intended to stimulate local business activity in the current difficult economic climate. This programme will be finalised later this year.

Following the Scottish Government's recent announcement of funding of £60m for town centre regeneration, the Council is actively exploring the manner in which a proportion of these funds might be secured for Highland towns. The Council has been advised that the Scottish Government will announce the criteria for allocation of the £60m at the end of March 2009.

(GK/JM)