The preferred route has been unveiled for a new road that would connect the A9 and A96 trunk roads in Inverness.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said the proposed “East Link” road would improve access to jobs – and education at UHI’s Inverness Campus – while opening up more opportunities to develop land in the east of the city.
Local councillors said they are happy with the preferred route, which would cost up to £35million, as it now enables Highland Council to progress designs for a revamp of Inshes Roundabout.
Work would start early next decade on the 1.5 mile-long stretch between Inshes and Smithton after a full statutory consultation in 2019, and any potential public inquiry.
But part owner of Ashton Farm, Kenneth Munro, says he “would not be happy” if the road, which could go either side of his farm, goes ahead unchanged. He fears it would be too close to his home, create noise and hamper his ability to feed sheep and cattle.
During yesterday’s first public exhibition at Inshes Church, the 69-year-old said: “There is no reason why they can not take the road out a bit more (further to the south of his home). It makes me think a lot more than twice about the future of the farm.”
Around 175 people attended yesterday’s exhibition between noon and 4pm, with three hours still to go. A second public exhibition will take place tonight at Smithton-Culloden Free Church.
The East Link road, which has been planned for several years, forms part of the £315 million Inverness City Region Deal.
Residents in Cradlehall previously highlighted that a row of 100-year-old oak trees would be threatened by other options for the East Link route. Transport Scotland project manager Craig Cameron said they took the feedback on board and that only “one of two” trees will now be removed.
Mr Ferguson said the preferred option will involve building a new bridge structure with four lanes – two each way – over the A9, linking Culloden Road to Inshes roundabout, which early plans show would become a signalled crossroads.
There will be junctions at Ashton Farm and Cradlehall and a new link to Inverness Retail and Business Park, and a bridge over the main railway line.
A new southbound third lane would be built between Raigmore Interchange and a slip road from the A9 dual carriageway up to Culloden Road.
Castle Heather resident Linda Sim said she is “happy” with the preferred route, adding: “I like some of the things they are putting in place, such as increasing the number of lanes crossing the bridge over the A9.
“Anything that makes Inshes Rounabout better will be welcomed.”
Councillors react
Local councillors reacted positively to yesterday’s public exhibition of the preferred route.
Inverness South councillor Ken Gowans said the option to build the road to the south of Ashton Farm makes sense, as it means land beside existing Cradlehall residents is less likely to be built on.
And he is pleased with the proposals for a new bridge structure over the A9, and urged a review of existing council plans to spend £1.5million adding a third lane to the bridge.
Mr Gowans also stressed it is “critical” that planners and engineers make sure the replacement for Inshes Roundabout is designed correctly.
Fellow ward councillor Duncan Macpherson said he was happy the preferred route would not cut across houses at Inshes holdings, and welcomed the plan for a four-lane bridge across the A9.
He also praised the new link road to the retail park which would benefit residents in Cradlehall and Westhill.
Council leader Margaret Davidson also welcomed Transport Scotland’s progress yesterday on what she described as an important region deal project.