Holm Mills Bridge (Drochaid Muileann an Tuilm) is the public choice

The results are in and the public have chosen Holm Mills Bridge as the name for the new bridge over the River Ness.

Holm Mills Bridge (Drochaid Muileann an Tuilm) was chosen from a shortlist of eight names in an online poll.

Holm Mills Bridge received 40,320 votes out of the 105,446 votes cast by noon today (Monday 6 November).

Provost of Inverness, Helen Carmichael, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took part in the voting. Holm Mills Bridge was a clear winner and is a very fitting name given the local history of the location.

“Fabric from the mills which were active in the area since the late 18th century was used to strengthen the nearby Caledonian Canal embankment and prevent leaking when it was built in the early 19th century.”

Chair of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Allan Henderson added: “I am pleased to see such a lot of interest in the new bridge and the chosen name has a great deal of support.  The new road is scheduled to open in mid-December, starting with a community fun-run over the bridge. The opening of the West Link should reduce congestion in the centre of Inverness as well as increase the opportunities for people to walk and cycle.”

The West Link project forms part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region deal which is a joint initiative supported by up to £315M investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and University of the Highland and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.

The votes were as follows:

Canal Parks Bridge 19,642

Caledonian Crossing 1,600

West Link Bridge  2,923

Torvean Bridge  979

Holm Mills Bridge  40,320

Whin Bridge  35,445

Ness West Crossing  386

Great Glen Crossing  4,151