Inverness problem junction plans are unveiled
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A MULTIMILLION-pound project to ease congestion at one of Inverness’s busiest road junctions is set to move forward later this year when detailed designs will be unveiled to the public.
Inshes roundabout – a notorious bottleneck especially for city workers during the morning and teatime commute – is at the heart of the ambitious East Link programme which also includes improved connections between the A9 and A96.
Highland Council officers are working on detailed designs which could see the roundabout replaced by a four-way signal-controlled junction along with changes to the access points for Inshes Retail Park, Drakies, the Police Scotland divisional headquarters and Raigmore Hospital plus Beechwood House.
The designs are expected to go to public consultation in about six months with the aim of submitting a planning application next year.
The work is expected to start in 2023 and take 12 months to complete although the funding will be spread over two years. The project, whose costs are estimated at £7.2 million, will be carried out as part of the council’s commitment to the £315 million Inverness City Deal which includes funding from the local authority as well as the Scottish and UK governments and other partners.
Colin Howell (left), the council’s head of development and infrastructure, said: “All junctions will be signal controlled with the signals being co-ordinated to maximise traffic flow and reduce congestion and the scheme involves pedestrian and cycle facilities to aid access.
“Further traffic modelling and design work is under way to optimise the layout and capacity which will allow future consultations to progress prior to finalisation of proposals and submission of associated construction consents in 2020.”
The consultation will seek the views of the public to understand what the issues are and further refine the designs if necessary.
“We need to make sure the solution is the right one,” Mr Howell said.
He explained the improvements were being carried out alongside Transport Scotland’s East Link and that the two projects were inextricably linked.
The government agency has announced its preferred route – a single-carriageway road connecting Inshes and Smithton – and is undertaking traffic modelling which will show the expected traffic flows up until 2038.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Having identified the preferred option for the [East Link] scheme in 2017, we then let the local community and road users see and comment on the updated proposals last year including our exciting plans for enhanced provision for cyclists and pedestrians.
“We continue to progress the detailed development and assessment of the preferred option with a view to publishing draft orders for the scheme later this year for formal comment.”
