Works to upgrade City Centre streets in Inverness are nearing completion. The £6m project, which has been ongoing since early 2007, is due to be completed by the end of this month.

The works have involved the upgrading of street surfaces with Caithness flag stones, granite setts and kerbs. New street furniture, feature lighting and artwork, along with traffic management changes are also incorporated in the scheme.

The work has extended through Union Street, Church Street, Queensgate, Baron Talyor's Street, Lombard Street, Drummond Street, Mealmarket Close, Post Office Avenue, Fraser Street, School Lane, Church Lane, Inglis Street, Stephen's Brae and Ness Walk.

Many of these areas have been completed and in use for some time.

The areas currently being constructed include Stephen's Brae, Mealmarket Close, the sections of footway along Academy Street at Union Street and Queensgate, and the footway at the junction of Church Street and Friar’s Lane.

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There will also be associated carriageway surfacing works to be undertaken, with surfacing in Queensgate requiring overnight working between 11.30pm and 5.30am over three nights (Monday 22 - Thursday 25 June) in order that traffic can be maintained during the day.

Members of The Highland Council's Inverness City Committee were advised recently of the difficulties that have had to be overcome in order to deliver the project associated with water mains renewal, uncharted basements, shallow services, substandard drainage systems, building repairs in Union Street and adjacent streets and the need to keep traffic moving in the busy city centre.

Provost Jimmy Gray, Chairman of the City Committee, said: "Time scales for city centre projects are always notoriously difficult to predict as one is never sure what will be uncovered when street surfaces are opened up. This is particularly the case when dealing with Victorian streetscapes. However, by the end of the month we will be in a position to mark substantial completion of the project and begin to reap the rewards of our investment."

Scott Alexander, of contractors ROK, said: "The Inverness Streetscape Project has been a challenging project involving multiple interfaces with the public, local businesses, transportation and the various utility companies.

"The project has also been the subject of considerable change. However, I am delighted to confirm that the Streetscape team which includes the Council, its design team Land Use Consultants and Rok have worked in partnership to overcome these challenges and deliver an excellent high quality project that will enhance the city centre environment for the people of Inverness for many years to come. "

An opening ceremony for the project is planned for Monday 29 June.

(GK/JM)