Work to support an upgrade of the waste water infrastructure in the Ardersier area begins on a local road tomorrow
ISSUED BY SCOTTISH WATER
Scottish Water is delivering essential improvements in the area to meet the needs of housing and economic growth nearby – including at Tornagrain, Inverness Airport and Castle Stuart - while protecting and enhancing the environment of the Moray Firth.
Work on the environmental improvements began in December. Before work requiring larger construction vehicles begins, Scottish Water will be carrying out some upgrades to the C1005 Muir Of Balnagowan – Fort George road. This will enable larger construction vehicles to access Ardersier Waste Water Treatment Works using the C1005 – minimising impact on the village itself.
Paul Sexton, Head of Alliance Management in Scottish Water’s Capital Investment team, said: “For around 40 years, a waste water treatment works has been operated at our site outside Ardersier – providing an essential service to the area while protecting the environment. A number of significant developments, including housing and economic growth, are now planned by developers in the area which is served by this existing facility.
“Scottish Water is responding to this by investing in a package of improvements to the local waste water system which will ensure we have the capacity to meet demand, while further protecting and enhancing the environment.
“In recent months, we have held a number of local information events and meetings with the community to discuss the different aspects of this investment. Our priority has been to listen to the community’s views on the work required and ensure we plan, prepare and deliver the projects with these firmly in mind. There was firm feedback from residents in Ardersier to minimise heavy vehicle traffic through the village so we have agreed a package of investment with The Highland Council to enable use of the C1005 and minimise the impact of construction vehicles while this essential work is taking place.”
During the C1005 roadworks – which is expected to take around four weeks – sections of the C1005 will need to be closed to traffic. Local access will be maintained at all times and diversions clearly signposted.
Once this has been completed and work at the waste water treatment works has commenced, a section of the C1005 between the junction at Glack and just prior to Kirkton will be closed to regular traffic in the interests of safety.
Two way traffic will be maintained from the B9006 at Fort George to the hamlet of Kirkton allowing residents, businesses and other users to access from this end.
An escort system will be put in place for all HGVs using the C1005, as well as a speed limit of 20mph.
The work has been agreed as part of a traffic management plan backed by The Highland Council.