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Highland Council to lead on works to 'make safe' building in Inverness


By Louise Glen

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Monday Morning - RTA Grant Street damaged building.
Monday Morning - RTA Grant Street damaged building.

A Merkinch building damaged after a car crashed into it on Thursday night is to be made safe by Highland Council.

The council plans to undertake works to the former William Hill building on the corner of Grant Street and Pumpgate Street after a Mercedes crashed into it shortly after 9.10pm, injuring four people, three of whom still remain in hospital.

Three households were evacuated from the building following the incident

RTC on Grant Street as car hits former William Hill on junction with Lochalsh Road..Picture HN&M staff..
RTC on Grant Street as car hits former William Hill on junction with Lochalsh Road..Picture HN&M staff..

The council’s housing team provided accommodation for one family over the weekend and the others stayed with friends.

A Highland Council spokeswoman said: "Following damage to a building on Pumpgate Street in the Merkinch area of Inverness caused by a road traffic accident on Thursday evening, the site remains cordoned off and traffic management in place.

Monday Morning - RTA Grant Street damaged building.
Monday Morning - RTA Grant Street damaged building.

"The Highland Council is leading on works to make the structure of the building safe before handing it back to the building owners.

"Temporary propping up works were completed on Friday. The design of second and third stage works to provide additional propping and structural scaffolding are near completion and engineers will be on site tomorrow.

Workmen begin to shore up damaged building following RTC on Grant Street as car hits former William Hill on junction with Lochalsh Road on Thursday night..Picture HN&M staff...
Workmen begin to shore up damaged building following RTC on Grant Street as car hits former William Hill on junction with Lochalsh Road on Thursday night..Picture HN&M staff...

"The stage two works will allow for more assessment on the interior of the damaged building to be carried out and all being well, the final stage three works are expected to be completed by the end of the week. At this point, it is planned that the building owners will be given access. However, the building will remain uninhabitable until further notice."
She continued: "The road will remain closed this week and local diversions, which are currently under review, will remain in place. The traffic management arrangements are being monitored closely.

"All costs on securing the safety of the building will be covered by the building owners."

Read more on the road traffic accident here.


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