Scottish Water: Junction work planned to improve security of water supply for Dalneigh and Ballifeary
Issued by Scottish Water
Scottish Water will be carrying out essential work in central Inverness later this month to relocate important valves beneath the busy junction of Kenneth Street and Tomnahurich Street.
The valves have a crucial role in the water network for surrounding areas, enabling Scottish Water teams to minimise disruption for customers when any repair or maintenance work is needed.
The work, to replace four valves at the junction of Tomnahurich Street and Kenneth Street, will be carried out in two phases, the first of which will take place between Monday, August 27 and Friday, August 31 when new valves will be installed and connected.
Traffic lights will be in place to enable single file traffic through the junction from 7am on August 27 to 7am on August 31 to allow the work to be carried out safely. Little Kenneth Street will be closed during this period, with traffic diverted via Ardross Street.
The second phase of work will see the existing valves and access hatches removed from the centre of the junction. This will be completed between 7am on Saturday, September 15 and 7am on Monday, September 17 and will see both roads closed at the junction. Suitable diversions will be in place and clearly signposted.
Scottish Water works at Tomnahurich Street junction
Scottish Water project manager, Ailsa Shaw, said:
“Road users who regularly pass through the junction of Kenneth Street and Tomnahurich Street will be used to negotiating the existing valves which are currently a prominent feature of the road surface. Our work should ensure a smoother journey through the junction in future and replacement valves which our team can operate safely without the need for major disruption to traffic.
“We appreciate that the work involves short-term disruption in order to achieve these long-term benefits for customers and road users. With this in mind, the work has been carefully planned in close consultation with the Highland Council and the trunk road authorities.
“While the main roads will remain open during the initial work in late August, we would encourage drivers to allow extra time for their journeys and to consider alternative routes where they can to reduce delays.
“The final work to remove the redundant valves and reinstate the road surface has been planned to take place over the weekend to avoid the busiest times. Unfortunately, this work cannot be completed without closing the junction to traffic, but we will highlight the diversions available for trunk road traffic via General Booth Road and Muirton; and via the West Link road and Sir Walter Scott Drive.
“Our team on site will be working hard to minimise the disruption caused to road users and local residents during both phases of work, but I would like to apologise for any inconvenience that is caused. Once completed, the work will mean both improved security of water supply for our customers locally and reduced risk of major disruption to the road in future.”
While work is taking place on the water network, there may be a need for some short-term disruption to customer water supplies in the surrounding area. Work has been completed in advance of the planned work to reduce this to a minimum.
Any customers whose supplies will need to be interrupted will be contacted at least 48 hours in advance to inform them of the arrangements.
ENDS