Public encouraged to attend exhibition for second phase of River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme

A public exhibition is being held at the Trinity Church Hall, Gilbert Street, Inverness, between noon and 6.30pm on Wednesday 26 March to give the public a chance to see and discuss plans for the second phase of the River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme, which is scheduled to get under way at the end of April and continue for one year.

The Highland Council has awarded a £9.3 million contract to McLaughlin and Harvey Ltd, the company that recently built the new ferry terminal extension at Sconser, Skye.

Representatives of the Council and the contractor will be present to discuss the plans for the work and the temporary traffic orders required to allow the works to proceed.

Scheme drawings and visualisations of the flood wall will be displayed and the types of machinery used and sandstone samples will be available for viewing.   Representatives from Inverness City Arts (ICarts) will also be present to discuss their proposals for the riverside art works and to listen to ideas for this section of the scheme.

Residents and businesses affected by the Phase 2 works have already received a letter advising them of the impending works which will take place on both sides of the river between Friars Bridge and the mouth of the river near the harbour. 

The scheme will raise the existing flood defences along both banks of the river in the form of low walls and embankments. To enable construction of the flood scheme, temporary ‘Traffic Orders’ will come into force on streets affected by the works.

The contract will be carried out at the same time as works on the first phase of flood alleviation between Ness Bridge and Friars Bridge. Every effort will be made to minimise traffic disruption.

The flood team can be contacted by email at RiverNessFAS@highland.gov.uk or Tel: 07557 744442