Controversial plans to upgrade a Highland sewage plant have reached a milestone with roadworks beginning to accommodate construction traffic.
Alterations will be made to the C1005 Muir Of Balnagowan-Fort George route to enable larger vehicles to access the Ardersier facility.
Scottish Water says the road improvement will minimise disruption to traffic in the village itself.
Almost 2,000 people have signed an online petition against the waterworks upgrade.
Objectors last month announced they were taking legal action against Highland Council which approved the work.
The utility insists that the £11million project will deliver “essential improvements to meet the needs of housing and economic growth” including Tornagrain new town, Inverness Airport and Castle Stuart.
It also claims the work will “protect and enhance the environment of the Moray Firth.”
Objectors, concerned about the potential impact of the revised facility on local tourism and its dolphin-friendly waters, are adamant that a new sewage works should be built.
Paul Sexton of Scottish Water’s capital investment team insisted that Scottish Water had listened to feedback from the local community.
He said: “There was firm feedback from residents to minimise heavy vehicle traffic through the village so we’ve agreed a package of investment with the council to enable use of the C1005 and minimise the impact of construction vehicles while this essential work is taking place.”
He added: “A number of significant developments including housing and economic growth are planned by developers in the area which is served by this existing facility.
“We’re responding by investing in a package of improvements which will ensure we have the capacity to meet demand while further protecting and enhancing the environment.”
The C1005 roadworks are expected to take four weeks, with sections closing to traffic. Local access will be maintained at all times and diversions signposted.
Once completed and work at the sewage plant commenced, a section of the C1005 between the junction at Glack and prior to Kirkton will be closed to regular traffic for safety reasons.
Two-way traffic will be maintained from the B9006 at Fort George to the hamlet of Kirkton allowing residents, businesses and other users access.
An escort system will be put in place for all HGVs using the C1005 along with a 20mph speed limit.