Inverness city – West Link

A Stakeholder Group, set up to examine and agree solutions for completing the Inverness City – West Link road between the A9/A96 and the A82 trunk roads, is making progress with identifying options for crossing the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal.

Stage 1 of the Strategic Transport Assessment has been completed and the next stage is to hold a “risk workshop” involving the key stakeholders to review in detail the options for crossing the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal.  Involved with be officials of The Highland Council, Historic Scotland, British Waterways and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.


The workshop will:
•  examine key issues in relation to regulatory requirements
•  examine engineering, environmental and statutory risks and
•  produce a range of solutions which can be developed into detailed options.

The outcomes of the assessment involve a multi-modal solution to the transport issues in west Inverness, and include cycle routes, public transport, as well as river and canal crossings. 

A key issue for the crossing of the River Ness is the consideration that the River Ness has an extensive flood plain and SEPA will have to be satisfied that any solution does not impact on it. Historic Scotland will also require to be satisfied that any proposals affecting the canal are in keeping with its status as a scheduled ancient monument.