Business as usual as construction of River Ness flood defences begin.
The first phase of construction of the River Ness Flood defences, between Ness Bridge and Friars Bridge is starting on Monday 19th August. The works will be carried out by Morgan Sindall, who were recently awarded the £8.5M contract for this phase which will continue for a period of 18 months.
Phase 2 from Friars Bridge to the harbour will commence in the New Year with completion of the overall scheme by Spring 2015.
The flood defences will protect 800 homes and 200 businesses in the city centre and will feature a public arts programme to complement streetscape enhancements.
Careful consideration has been given in programming the works to minimise the disruption to businesses and shoppers, especially in the run up to Xmas and over the summer tourist season and to avoid additional disruption during the second phase of the Kessock Bridge works. Bank Street and Huntly Street, from Greig Street to Young Street will be fully open from the last shopping weekend in November throughout the whole of December. Bank Street will also remain open during the second phase of resurfacing of the Kessock Bridge from February to July 2014.
Works will progress in Huntly Street from late August in sections between side roads with access maintained for pedestrians, businesses, residents and emergency services. Although road closures are unavoidable, these will be kept to minimal durations and it is stressed that all businesses in Bank Street and Huntly Street remain very much `open for business as usual`.
Work will begin in Douglas Row in September continuing until the end of February 2014. This will include the installation of a pump station, drainage, piling, wall construction and streetscaping. The site will be closed for a 2 week period over Xmas.
The flood defences consist of low height natural stone clad walls with natural stone coping founded on steel sheet piles. Wall heights have been kept to the absolute minimum and will have a railing above where necessary for safety.
Bank Street and Huntly Street will be streetscaped using high quality Caithness flag and granite kerbs and sett paving materials as used elsewhere in the city centre.
A new surface water drainage system and streetlighting provision will also be incorporated. The design of the wall includes special requirements at the locations of existing trees, which are to be preserved. Additional trees will be planted once the works are complete to further enhance the streetscape in both Huntly Street and Bank Street.
Neil Duncan, Area Director of Morgan Sindall, said: “We’re delighted to be involved in this critical project for Inverness and are committed to minimising the disruption to people’s lives as much as possible. Across al of our sites, we do our utmost to engage with the local community and keep them up to date with our progress, while being sensitive to their concerns and questions, and our work on the River Ness Flood Alleviation Scheme will be no different.”