Motorists advised of City Centre Closures as Streetscape Phase 2 Begins

Union Street and the mid-section of Church Street in Inverness will be closed for up to 33 weeks from Monday 12 November as Phase 2 of the Inverness Streetscape Scheme gets under way.

The closures are needed to allow the scheme and water mains renewal works to progress as quickly and safely as possible.
 
Union Street and the mid section of Church Street between Union Street and Queensgate will be closed to cars, buses and taxis.  The only permitted access will be for emergency vehicles, disabled vehicles, pedal cycles, motor cycles and vehicles making deliveries or requiring access to premises.

Cars and taxis will not be permitted to enter the north part of Church Street from its junction with Friars Lane and Queensgate.  This restriction is necessary because the bus services currently operating from Union Street and Church Street will relocate temporarily to the north east side of this section.  The street is narrow and the parking and loading bays on the opposite side will be required for deliveries.

Queensgate will have less restriction but will be closed to all vehicles except buses emergency vehicles, disabled vehicles, pedal cycles, motor cycles and vehicles making deliveries or requiring access to premises.  On duty, marked taxis will be able to use Queensgate via Fraser Street.

Provost Bob Wynd, Chairman of Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee said: “A lot of planning and consideration has gone into these temporary traffic management arrangements and the decision to implement the restrictions was not taken lightly.  I am very pleased with the co-operation that Council Officers and ROK Civil Engineering have had from the business stakeholder groups.  We will continue to work closely to review any problems and keep the city centre operational.”

Marie Mackintosh, city partnership officer added: “Rok will have additional men on watch to give assistance to pedestrians or with deliveries and the traffic Wardens will also be on hand.  Later this week there will be more information on the City Partnership website and I will be issuing information direct to the businesses to reassure them.  The Inverness City Celebrations winter festival gets underway in the middle of the month and I hope that the reduced traffic will encourage shoppers to explore the old town on foot and enjoy great Christmas shopping, eating out and entertainment.”

Full details of the Temporary Traffic Restrictions can be viewed on The Highland Council or City Partnership websites.

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