Partnership improves parking in Fort Augustus
A partnership between Lovat Estates and The Highland Council has seen the creation of 75 additional new parking spaces created at the existing Riggs Car Park in the community of Fort Augustus.
Leader of The Highland Council and local Ward Member, Cllr Margaret Davidson welcomed the completion of the parking project she said: “This has been a great joint business and Council effort, which I hope that we can do elsewhere in Fort Augustus and in other communities to create new parking that benefits visitors and locals.
“The car park extension is now open and very busy proving that the demand for this facility is extremely high. I commend Lovat Estates on the speed and quality with which they carried out the new surfacing works on their land.”
Riggs Car Park, Fort Augustus
The partnership agreement between the local authority and Lovat Estates has involved the business releasing land bordering an existing Council car park. The Estate has levelled, surfaced and lined a new parking area. The Council has installed car parking machines which will be maintained and enforced by its Parking Enforcement Team and the income from the parking meters will be shared between the Council and Lovat Estates.
Iain Shepherd, Director of Lovat Estates said: “We were very pleased to be able to extend the existing Highland Council car park on to our land and to have it open before the peak tourist season this year. This car park extension is a win-win situation for all concerned and by providing much-needed additional parking for visitors to the village it will increase the footfall for local businesses. It will also alleviate the traffic congestion which previously arose at the car park in peak periods and enable more visitors to have a safe and enjoyable experience in Fort Augustus.
We are very pleased with the finished result and we were impressed with the dedication of our contractors Pat Munro (Alness) Ltd who completed this project on budget and to a tight timescale despite the current pandemic and material shortages.”
Landowners wishing to find out more information on parking partnership opportunities with The Highland Council can email: parking@highland.gov.uk
Riggs Car Park, Fort Augustus