New road set to improve links with Inverness city centre
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A NEW stretch of road designed to improve links between Inverness city centre and its western outskirts has opened.
The 1km access road connecting Foresters Way to the A82 junction in Westercraigs has been built at a cost of £800,000 and taken nine months to complete.
It is in area where a significant number of new homes are planned, or already occupied.
Tim Metcalfe, regional director (North) of Robertson Homes said any new access road required careful thought and the company had worked extensively with planners and environmental consultants to find the best possible fit.
“There was formerly a small, privately-owned road in the area and we have worked hard to improve access and relieve traffic pressure on Leachkin Road in particular while making landscape management and tree planting an integral part of the process," he said.
"Extensive tree planting has already taken place as part of the local environmental plan.”
Depute Provost of Inverness Councillor Graham Ross said the new road was part of an extensive development plan for the wider Westercraigs area which councillors were pleased to see taking shape.
"The road will greatly assist in improving traffic flow to the west of the city,” he said.
Robertson Homes has committed £13 million to the refurbishment of the former hospital buildings into Great Glen Hall, creating 60 new apartments and townhouses.
With the access road completed, additional new housing development is expected to start in early 2020, providing new three and four-bedroom properties.
Sharon Spinelli, sales and marketing director for Robertson Homes, said the Westercraigs development was a labour of love for a company with its roots in the Highlands.
“We have spent years making sure the mix, ecology and lifestyle created are just right for the wonderful environment at the western periphery of Inverness," she said.
The engineers for the new road were Dougall Baillie and the specialist civil contractors were WM Donald.
