Council cordons off part of Church Street for public safety

The Highland Council has cordoned off the south end pedestrian area of Church Street, Inverness for public safety. The cordoned area is to allow steeple jacks to carry out a necessary safety inspection of the Clock Tower Steeple.
 
The Council was today informed that a small piece of sandstone about the size of two bricks appeared to have fallen from the tower during the high winds yesterday (Tuesday 8th September).
 
The Council’s Building Standards Inspectors took immediate action and cordoned off the area to pedestrians. By Thursday evening pedestrian access will be reinstated when a covered walkway will be put in place.
 
Steeplejacks are being brought in by the Council to inspect the Clock Tower Building and to make safe any necessary repairs. The Council anticipates that these works could take up to one week following which Building Standards will check that the structure is completely safe before removing the covering from the pedestrian area.