The Inverness West Link

Community Liaison Group

Meeting – 22 March 2021

The eighth and final scheduled Community Liaison Group meeting was held on 22 March 2021.  Councillor Graham Ross who has chaired the group from the outset thanked all for their participation over the years.  The meeting was again held as a virtual teams meeting.  Steve Scott of RJ McLeod the Stage 2 Contractor gave the group a presentation of the works to date.  The new bridge is currently being commissioned and the completion date has now been given as May. 

Meeting – 8 February 2021

The seventh Community Liaison Group meeting of Stage 2 of the West Link was held on 8 February. The meeting was chaired by Councillor Graham Ross and attended by representatives of our Infrastructure and Environment Service and the Contractor RJ McLeod. The meeting was again held as a Microsoft TEAMS Group Chat. Steve Scott of RJ McLeod then gave a short presentation of the Stage 2 Road Works progress to date.

Meeting – 23 November 2020

The sixth Community Liaison Group meeting of Stage 2 of the West Link was held on 23 November. The meeting was chaired by Councillor Graham Ross and attended by representatives of our Infrastructure and Environment Service and the Contractor RJ McLeod. Most of the discussions centred around the impact of the current pandemic which has pushed the project completion date on to March 2021. Steve Scott of RJ McLeod then gave a short presentation of the Stage 2 Road Works progress to date.

Update – October 2020

Due to the covid-19 pandemic the Community Liaison Group meeting scheduled for 1st June 2020 was cancelled.  The Contractor, RJ McLeod have made a presentation for the group to show progress and planned work after coming out of the UK national lockdown.  It is hoped to restart the Community Liaison Group meetings again soon with the format of the meetings yet to be decided.

Meeting – 24 February 2020

The fifth Community Liaison Group meeting of Stage 2 of the West Link was held on 24 February.  The meeting was chaired by Councillor Graham Ross and attended by representatives of our Development and Infrastructure service and the Contractor RJ McLeod. Cathy Shankland of the Inverness City Arts Group gave an update on the Rest Space art to be installed at Torvean Park. Steve Scott of RJ McLeod then gave a short presentation of the Stage 2 Road Works progress to date.

Meeting – 2 December 2019

The fourth Community Liaison Group meeting of Stage 2 of the West Link was held on 2 December. The meeting was chaired by Councillor Graham Ross and attended by representatives of our Development and Infrastructure service and the Contractor RJ McLeod. The Inverness City Arts Group also attended the meeting and gave a presentation on the proposed Rest Space art installation. Steve Scott of RJ McLeod then gave a short presentation of the Stage 2 Road Works progress to date.

Meeting – 2 September 2019

The third Community Liaison Group meeting of Stage 2 of the West Link was held on 2 September.  The meeting was chaired by Councillor Graham Ross and attended by representatives of our Development and Infrastructure service and the Contractor RJ McLeod.  Steve Scott of RJ McLeod gave a presentation of the Stage 2 Road Works progress to date. Malcolm MacLeod, The Highland Council, gave an overview and update on the Torvean and Ness Side Development Brief.

Meeting – 3 June 2019

Chaired by Councillor Graham Ross, the meeting was attended by representatives of our Development and Infrastructure service and the Contractor RJ McLeod who gave presentations of the Canal Bridges Control Tower and the Stage 2 Road and Bridge Works.

Meeting – 25 March 2019

The first Community Liaison meeting since the tender returns were received for The Inverness West Link - Stage 2 construction contract was held on 25 March.

Councillor Graham Ross again took the chair following on from his previous role during the Stage 1 Works.

The meeting heard how the tender was reviewed and a construction program was detailed.

Meeting – 18 September 2017

The 8th local community meeting was held on 18 September.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Graham Ross and included representatives from Coffey Construction Ltd who gave an update on progress for the Torvean Golf Course Construction and Housing Site Preparation Works, and Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd who gave an update on the progress on the Inverness West Link Stage 1 and Canal Parks Enhancement. Coffey advised that the new golf course is progressing well with the earthworks virtually complete.  Wills Bros advised that the West Link remains ahead of schedule with the road opening looking likely to be achievable in December.

Unfortunately there was no new drone footage available at the meeting.

The meeting also included discussions on the Contractors' engagement with local schools, the use of Facebook for public access and the possibility of an opening event, such as a fun run, to be held on the new road prior to the opening.

For any issues or queries regarding the construction works for either scheme please phone - 07557744442

Meeting - 12 June 2017

The seventh local community meeting was held on 12 June.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Graham Ross and included representatives from Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd and Coffey/EGS Construction Ltd who gave updates on the progress on the Inverness West Link Stage 1 and Canal Parks Enhancement and the Torvean Golf Course Construction and Housing Site Preparation Work respectively. Cathy Shankland of High Life Highland introduced a discussion on the subject of public art and potential to enhance the two new underpasses.

The group also heard that Scottish Canals have restricted access to the Canal Towpath due to their works on the Ness River Weir.

The meeting continued with a discussion and look ahead to the next stages of construction.

For any issues or queries regarding the construction works for either scheme please phone - 07557 744442

Meeting - 23 January 2017

The sixth local community meeting was held on 23 January.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Graham Ross and included representatives from Coffey Construction Ltd who gave an update on progress for the Torvean Golf Course Construction and Housing Site Preparation Works, and Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd who gave an update on the progress on the Inverness West Link Stage 1 and Canal Parks Enhancement.

The group heard that the crane for lifting the 6 beam sections into place for the River Ness bridge crossing was due on site very soon. This is a 1000T crane which will need an additional 35 lorries to transport the various parts and ballast required for the lifts.

The meeting continued with a discussion and look ahead to the next stages of construction.

For any issues or queries regarding the construction works for either scheme please phone  07557744442.

Meeting - 3 October 2016

The fifth local community meeting was held on 3 October.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Graham Ross and included representatives from the Contractor engaged to carry out the Torvean Golf Course Construction and Housing Site Preparation Works (Coffey Construction Ltd and European Golf Services Joint Venture) as well as for The Inverness West Link Stage 1 and Canal Parks Enhancement  (Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd).

Both companies gave an overview of their works and an update on progress with the benefit of video drone footage which is available below;

Regularly updated video drone footage can be viewed on The Inverness West Link home page.

The meeting continued with a discussion and look ahead to the next stages of construction.

For any issues or queries regarding the construction works for either scheme please phone - 07557744442

Meeting - 23 May 2016

The fourth local community meeting was held on 23 May.  The meeting was opened by Councillor Graham Ross who said that to date the Community Liaison meetings had been well received. The Contractor for the Works, Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd gave an update on progress followed by discussions on the forthcoming Works including the River Ness Bridge construction. 

Meeting - 14 March 2016

The third local community liaison group was held on the 14 March. The meeting heard how that the advanced works are now almost complete and that Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd has been awarded the Inverness West Link Stage 1 and the Canal Parks Enhancement Contract.

For any issues or queries regarding the construction works for the West Link please phone - 07557744442

Meeting - 2 November 2015

The second local community liaison group was held on the 2 November, when the minutes of the August meeting were approved and are now available below. The meeting heard how that the works are progressing well, and tree felling was almost complete. Scottish Water and their contractors Morrison Construction attended the meeting to explain the water main diversion works that are ongoing. The meeting also heard that tenders for Stage 1, the link from Dores Road to the A82, and the Canal Parks Enhancement Project will be invited in November with a start in Spring 2016. Works are also planned to start on the Golf Course also in Spring 2016.

Meeting - 31 August 2015

The first meeting of a local community liaison group (LCLG) was held on 31 August 2015, chaired by Councillor Graham Ross. The purpose of the group is to provide information about the project and an opportunity to ask questions or raise any concerns during the project.

Our Head of Infrastructure, Colin Howell gave members a presentation on the West Link project and forthcoming project plan. Notes of the meetings, will be published here, once approved.

Related Downloads

Related pages