Work will start next Monday to upgrade a pedestrian crossing in the centre of a busy Loch Ness-side village.
The zebra crossing on the A82 through Drumnadrochit will be upgraded to a puffin crossing – controlled green and red man signals for pedestrians and traffic lights for drivers – to improve road safety.
Other works taking place as part of the £62,000 scheme include the construction of dropped kerbs to make it easier for people to cross at the village green junction and rebuilding footpaths.
There will also be a resurfacing of the road, the painting of fresh road markings and more signs.
Motorists will face disruption for up to five weeks during the works with traffic lights in place between 7am and 5pm on weekdays, with no work planned for the weekened.
There will be one evening of surfacing works that will take place on Thursday, February 23, from 7pm to midnight under convoy traffic management – and residents have been notified.
During the works, pedestrians have been asked to use the alternative zebra crossing which is located about 100 yards north beside the shop and post office.
Access to properties will be maintained at all times throughout the works.
Balnain resident Kenneth Fraser, who is vice chairman of Glenurquhart Community Council, welcomed the upgrade and said that he would also like to see a set of traffic lights at the other crossing by the post office.
He added: “Pedestrian safety is paramount. We have been very lucky to have all of these road safety measures in the area.
“Some of the community feel that pedestrian crossings are not understood by a lot of local drivers. If there are traffic lights at the other crossing as well, then all folk know exactly where they stand.”
Eddie Ross, Bear Scotland’s north-west representative, said: “We’re pleased to begin the works to upgrade the existing crossing in Drumnadrochit which will improve road safety for pedestrians in the village.
“The puffin crossing will provide increased visibility and warning for motorists to slow down on approach to the crossing, helping vulnerable road users to cross safely.
“Whilst we’ve taken steps to minimise disruption as much as possible during the installation works, we’d encourage motorists to plan their journey and check ahead using the Traffic Scotland website.”