Plans for new cycle lanes in Inverness have received a multimillion pound boost after Highland Council won a competition for the funding.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf MSP announced yesterday that the local authority’s scheme is among five in Scotland to get a Scottish Government grant covering half the project costs.
Work is expected to start on the Inverness City Active Travel Network within the next two months, with an expected finish time of summer 2020.
Plans involve removing one lane of general traffic for a fully segregated cycle path on Millburn Road, with a westbound bus lane and footpath to be introduced.
Academy Street will undergo a similar transformation with a one-way cycle track with buffer zones off the main carriageway behind the parking and loading areas.
A ramp will also be created from the Raigmore Interchange to the Golden Bridge that would mean construction of a cycle and pedestrian friendly route to the Inverness Campus.
The Sustrans Scotland’s Community Links Plus competition delivers projects which aim to inspire public bodies to design better places and spaces for people to live, walk and cycle in for everyday journeys.
Provost of Inverness, councillor Helen Carmichael, said: “The award of Community Links Plus funding over the next three years is immensely welcome.
“The council thanks the Scottish Government, the transport minister and all those involved with the Community Links Plus funding bid scheme.
“The success of this funding bid would not have happened without the efforts of the council team and advisers along with the fantastic support of local partners and stakeholders.
“This is a great step forward towards the achievement of ‘a City fit and active for the future’.”
Inverness was shortlisted after an intensive three-stage process.
The grant will come from a funding pot worth more than £22.5million.
Two schemes in Edinburgh will also benefit from funding, along with one each in Glasgow and Stirling.