City streetscape works completed
Streetscape improvement works have been carried out to provide a more pedestrian friendly environment leading up to Inverness Castle and Inverness Museum and Art Gallery.
The project, which involved work on Castle Wynd itself as well as the two sets of steps leading to the castle from the River Ness and from Castle Wynd, was funded by the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal which is a joint initiative supported by up to £315M investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, HIE and University of the Highland and Islands, aimed at stimulating sustainable regional economic growth.
The streetscape works have included the partial reconstruction of the existing road using natural stone sett paving, Caithness flag stone and granite kerbing. The steps to the Castle have been replaced with granite step units on one side and a ramp on the other to make this area more accessible. The Castle steps down to Castle Road have had new granite step units installed, the landing areas have been paved with Caithness flag stone and new handrails have also been installed.
The Provost of Inverness Cllr Helen Carmichael is delighted with the work. She said: “What an improvement to see the new pedestrian friendly access in place. As well as enticing walkers up to the north tower viewpoint which will reopen next year to welcome back visitors, a lot of work is currently underway on the wider redeveloped of the Castle to create a top rate tourist and heritage centre. Making access more attractive and more user friendly is an important step in encouraging visitors and people who live and work in the city to spend time in this central area and enjoy the terrific views over the city and beyond.”
The work was carried out by contractors, Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd.
