The completion of the £6m Inverness Streetscape Programme will be marked this afternoon with an opening ceremony.

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.

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.

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Provost Jimmy Gray, Chairman of the City Committee, said: "The overall aim of the project has been to create an attractive, vibrant and thriving city centre environment, which reflects Inverness as a successful, modern city and capitalises on its heritage and its historical old town. As well as improving traffic flows and the efficiency of public transport services, the scheme will strengthen the profitability of city centre businesses by improving the quality of the environment."

Scott Alexander, of contractors ROK, added: "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. As the nation's local builder, we are delighted to have played a significant role in our local community transforming the City Centre for the benefit of local residents and visitors alike."

(GK/JM)