Ness Islands works receive further funding boost

Members of The Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Committee have approved an additional £73,183 Inverness Common Good funding for improvement works on bridges at the Ness Islands amenity area in Inverness.

Previously, works on paths, bridges, banks and trees were estimated at £225,000 and the additional £73,183 funding approved by the committee today is required to complete repairs to bridges on the islands.

Amenities Manager South with the Council’s Community Services, Debbie Sutton informed Members of the £22,039 tree works that have been completed.  She said: 

“A large tree has been felled and converted into a seating area which has proven a popular attraction with the public. Seven trees in total have been removed from the Ness Islands with 220 pruned and maintained. The whole area has been surveyed for bats and roosting birds.”

Path repairs costing £54,015 will commence at the end of June and river bank erosion works costing £52,870 will start after the end June to accommodate the Salmon smolt run. The additional funding will enable £169,259 works on the bridges to be carried out in conjunction with the bank erosion work.

Provost and Leader of Inverness and Area Cllr Helen Carmichael said: “The Ness Islands are not only a through route for crossing the River Ness; they are a much-loved destination in their own right. Members are pleased to see works progressing on this natural asset and are assured that local Ward Members will be kept updated as the works progress further.”