Streetscape improvements completed in time for Christmas shopping

The first phase of streetscape works at Dingwall High Street has been completed in time for local businesses to welcome people to enjoy their festive shopping, which has also been enhanced by the arrival of Christmas lights and the return of Dingwall Farmers’ Market.

About two thirds of the High Street has been upgraded by The Highland Council’s Planning and Development Service, working in conjunction with WA Fairhurst and Pat Munro (Alness) Ltd. A second phase of works, due to commence in February 2010, will complete the face lift in the remainder of the High Street, as far as the junction with Tulloch Street. Phase two will also see the introduction of additional street furniture along the length of the High Street and, in due course, the high quality natural stone footways will be complimented by new floral displays.

Plans for the next phase of works will be displayed in Ross House early in the New Year and will also be posted on Dingwall.org. Residents and businesses likely to be directly affected during phase two will receive further detailed information by post in the new Year.

During the phase two streetscape works, temporary traffic measures will be in place, but pedestrian access will be maintained to all shops, during trading hours, for the duration of the project, which is scheduled for completion at the beginning of April. Shops and businesses will be open for business as usual during the works. Representatives of the contractor and The Highland Council will liaise with properties directly affected to ensure adequate vehicular access for residents and deliveries and to ensure that any issues arising on site are dealt with promptly.

A combination of £460,000 from The Highland Council Planning and Development Service Capital Programme and £462,000 secured through the Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund has enabled this major regeneration project in Dingwall. In addition to the core streetscape project, other measures will be implemented for the improvement of signage, visitor information and key vennels adjoining the High Street. The project has been further enhanced by funding from Dingwall in Bloom, LEADER and the Ward 9 Councillors’ Discretionary Budget.

Throughout the project, the Council is working closely with the Dingwall community through regular stakeholders’ meetings. The Stakeholders Group includes representatives of the Community Council, Dingwall Business Association, Dingwall in Bloom, Dingwall Farmers Market and Ross & Cromarty Disability Access Group.

The Ward Members for Dingwall and Seaforth – Peter Cairns, David Chisholm, Angela MacLean and Margaret Paterson – are grateful to High Street Traders and the public for their co-operation throughout the project works.  The councillors feel there has been a tremendous community spirit and that the contractor, Pat Munro, and the site supervisors, W A Fairhurst, worked hard to make a success of what was a challenging project to manage.

Alison MacLeod, on behalf of the Dingwall Business Association, said: "The Dingwall Business Association are delighted with the completion of the first phase of street renovation. Feedback from the public has been excellent. Everyone seems very impressed with the quality of the work and happy with the more streamlined appearance of the street."

-ends-