Turf cutting ceremony marks start of stage two of Inverness West Link
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A turf cutting ceremony has been held this afternoon to mark the start of stage two of the West Link.
The works are programmed to be complete in December next year.
RJ McLeod (Contractors) have been awarded the contract to realign General Booth Road to join the A82 at a new roundabout to allow linkage to the Queens Park Roundabout via a new swing bridge over the Caledonian Canal.
The two canal bridges will then work in tandem to make sure one route is always available to traffic, and remove delays due to the passage of canal traffic.
Compass Building and Construction Services is working on the construction of a new control building which will be fitted out to manage the operation of the existing and proposed canal bridges.
Stage two of the West Link project has required the relocation of Torvean Golf Club to the new Kings Course which has been constructed to the north west of General Booth Road. The relocation has included the construction of a new clubhouse.
Relocating the golf club has released land for housing and commercial development at Torvean as well as public open space and parkland.
To coincide with stage two of the West Link, Inverness councillors agreed a new Torvean and Ness-side Development Brief which provides the framework for development of the area as a gateway to the city and the Great Glen.
The development brief includes new parks in the area along with new commercial, leisure and recreational facilities, as well as some new housing and a site for a new primary school.
Councillor Allan Henderson, chairman of Highland Council's environment, development and infrastructure committee, said: “The Inverness West Link has been a huge success to date.
"It has already reduced traffic flows through the city centre and the route is proving very popular as a distributer road. Stage two will further reduce traffic congestion in the city centre, improve journey times around the canal crossing and support active travel through new cycling and walking routes.”
Council leader Margaret Davidson said: “The construction of the swing bridge to ensure an uninterrupted flow of traffic across the canal will be a welcome improvement for all who use the A82.”
Depute Inverness Provost Graham Ross said: “The West Link project has significantly enhanced accessibility since the completion of phase one in December 2017 and we look forward to all the benefits that stage two will bring for local residents, businesses and visitors to the city of Inverness.
"The opening up of new parkland and the leisure and development opportunities for this part of Inverness are very exciting spin-off benefits to the West Link project.”
The initial West Link works included the new Holm Mills Bridge over the River Ness.
The West Link forms part of the council’s contribution to the city-region deal investment, which was agreed in March 2016.
