Traffic warning due to £21m River Ness flood scheme
TRAFFIC disruption will be "unavoidable" during the first stage of constructing the £21m River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme, Highland Council has warned.
Several streets on both sides of the river will be affected as work to construct a new wall to combat the risk of flooding starts on 22nd October.
The scheme will protect 800 homes and 200 businesses and is set to be complete by April 2015.
Highland Council will cover 20 per cent of the funding, with the rest coming from the Scottish Government.
The local authority will work with businesses to try to minimise disruption.
Phase one, which runs until April next year, involves moving pipes and cables and will impact the following areas:
Huntly Street — Parking will be suspended, as required, for a period between 22nd October and April next year. Phased road closures between side roads will be required between November and April when access to through traffic will be suspended. Local diversions will be in place. Access for emergency services, blue badge holders, businesses and residences will be maintained.
Bank Street/Bridge Street Junction — To minimise disruption and to maintain two-way traffic movement across the Ness Bridge, overnight working will take place. This will involve approximately three nights of night time working.
Bank Street (between Fraser Street and Bridge Street) — During the Bank Street/Friar’s Lane closure, one-way traffic (for buses, taxis and businesses) will be maintained via Ness Bridge. Two-way traffic will be reinstated from 10th December.
Bank Street to Fraser Street and Friar’s Lane — Bank Street (between the junction of Friar’s Lane/Douglas Row and Fraser Street) and Friar’s Lane will be closed for a period of time between 22nd October and 10th December and between 3rd January and 11th February, next year. Diversion routes will be in place across Friar’s Bridge and Kenneth Street. Shorter diversion routes for buses are being sought to maintain services. Access to Douglas Row, Church Street, Friar’s Street and Fraser Street will be maintained at all times.
Douglas Row, Riverside Street, Friar’s Street and Glebe Street — Parking will be suspended, as required, between November and April and road closures will be required to allow the necessary utility diversion works. Access for emergency services, businesses and residences will be maintained at all times.
> See Friday’s Courier for more.
