Scottish Water will be carrying out essential road repairs next week at one of the busiest and most accident-prone junctions in the Highlands.
There was a burst to a main located beside the Barn Church Road and Tower Road junction in Culloden last year.
The work is required to fully repair the road surface following that incident.
Three-way traffic lights will be in operation for the duration of the work, which is due to begin on Monday morning.
The repairs are expected to take a maximum of three days – but all going well within 48 hours, according to Scottish Water.
The work has been commissioned for a spell during the mid-term holiday in an effort by the utility to minimise disruption for local residents and commuters.
Scottish Water has apologised for any inconvenience caused and thanked customers for their patience as the work is carried out.
Smithton and Culloden Community Council chairman David McGrath said he welcomed the repair works, having witnessed the resulting roadside flooding after last year’s main burst.
However, he suggested that it was unfortunate the work could not have been tied in with major road upgrades in the area that he expects to be carried out next year.
He said: “Last year’s event coincided with other works that were going on at the time – the upgrade of the Barn Church Road-Tower Road junction.
“I can recall the break and the water running down the road. We didn’t dwell on it because flooding of one sort or another happens on occasion in that stretch, although not due to burst pipes.
“The route is scheduled for upgrade to a dual carriageway next year as part of east Inverness development work and the whole thing is expected to be dug up, widened and resurfaced for that purpose.
“The junction is a major accident blackspot, which is why improvements were made last year. It’s a pity the latest work couldn’t have waited until the upgrade to dual carriageway.”
