PICTURES: Merkinch street to remain closed as structural work takes place
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HIGHLAND Council has said that Grant Street in Merkinch will remain closed over the weekend, and until after a stakeholders meeting is held on Tuesday.
The normally busy street has been closed for more than a week since a car crashed into the shop front and residential building around 9.10pm on Thursday January 21 causing substantial damage.
The former William Hill building on the corner of Grant Street and Pumpgate Street was partially demoished in the crash.
Four people were injured in the crash. Three men, aged 32, 38 and 42, received treatment in hospital with, what were described as, serious but non life-threatening injuries, while one woman (43), believed to be the driver, was discharged without being admitted to hospital.
A spokeswoman for Highland Council said: "All traffic management arrangements remain in place while works to make the building safe continue.
"We hope to be able to give an update after a progress meeting on Tuesday."
Earlier the spokeswoman said the council was the lead agency for works that were being undertaken at the building.
In a statement, she 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.
"The Highland Council is leading on works to make the structure of the building safe before handing it back to the building owners."
Stage three of the works to provide propping and structural scaffolding as well as an internal inspection of the building was expected to be completed by the end of this week.
Three households were evacuated from the property after the accident.
Meanwhile, a police spokeswoman continued an appeal for information about the incident.
Road policing sergeant Kate Park said: "Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the collision. I would ask anyone who may have witnessed the crash but has not yet spoken to police to come forward.
"I am particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have dash cam footage prior to the crash which could help with our investigation."
Information can be provided to Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3321 of January 21.
