Go Ahead for Major Inverness Flood Scheme

The Highland Council has cleared all the statutory hurdles and will shortly have the consent in place to allow the first phase of the £10 million South-West Flood Relief Channel in Inverness to be constructed.

Members of the Council’s Inverness City Committee were told today (Monday) that SEPA has withdrawn the last outstanding objection to the planning application for the works, which can start in the spring of next year.

The scheme will divert flood water from the south side of Inverness away from the residential housing in Hilton, Lochardil and Holm picking up overflow water from the south side burns and leading this to the River Ness at Holm Mains.  The overall works are expected to cost in excess of £10 million and the first phase of the works at £4 million will now go out to tender.

Provost Jimmy Gray, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness Area Committee, told his committee today: “I am delighted that the Council has reached agreement with SEPA and the way is now clear for a start on the works early next year. Many of the householders on the south side of Inverness will be delighted and relieved to hear this excellent news.”

Tenders for the works will now be finalised and will shortly be issued to contractors.