A bus company has issued a warning to passengers amid fears roadworks on two of the Highland capital’s busiest routes could bring the city to a halt.
Locals fear the combination of resurfacing on General Booth Road and the Ness Bridge junction project will be a cocktail for chaos and major traffic jams.
Transport giant Stagecoach has taken the unusual step of warning passengers its services in the area will be badly affected.
And it claims the local authority gave it little notice of the resurfacing scheme – meaning it was unable to produce emergency timetables.
Some bus stops may also be out of action during the work.
The Highland Council project will put extra traffic lights on General Booth Road, which links Muirtown, Scorguie and Kinmylies.
The stretch between Charleston Academy and the Leachkin Road junction will be severely restricted.
The council is also carrying out work at the Ness Bridge junction – with Huntly Street and Ness Walk, closing one lane in each direction.
James Kidd, chairman of Muirtown Community Council, said warned last night the road would be “impassable” because of work at the junction.
He added that he had only discovered the resurfacing was taking place because of signs put up along the key route.
Mr Kidd said: “It does need work because there was frost damage a couple of winters ago. There are a lot of potholes.
“But there is no way round.
“At this time of year, Glenurquhart Road is still heavy with tourists.
“If people go down that way, they will be caught up in the jam from Ness Bridge.
“You could be affected by both hold-ups no matter which way you go.”
Councillor Donnie Kerr said he had asked for the Ness Bridge works to be delayed while Academy Street remained partially shut due to a shop fire in April.
He said: “One would think that you should give the bus company enough notice to make alternative arrangements to timetables.”
But he conceded it was difficult to find a good time for roadworks, particularly as the build-up to Christmas is now looming.
Stagecoach said its 8/8A/8C services would be particularly badly affected by the General Booth Road scheme.
Steve Walker, managing director for Stagecoach North Scotland, said: “We’d like to reassure customers we’re doing everything possible to keep buses running on time.
“As well as working with the local authority to try and reduce the impact of the roadworks to the bus network, we will be using spare buses to lessen the impact of any late running and delays.”
A Highland Council spokeswoman said: “Temporary traffic management will be in place enabling traffic flows in both directions to be maintained.
“However, some delays are inevitable, but every effort will be made to keep disruption to traffic to a minimum. Drivers are asked to consider using alternative routes during the works period.
“Due to the progressive nature of the works, it will not always be physically possible, or indeed safe, to maintain access to every bus stop and there may be occasions when one, or more, may be inaccessible.
“If a bus stop needs to be closed off, notices will be erected to notify passengers to use the next available stop.
“Once completed, the work will greatly improve the running surface of this section of General Booth Road, which is currently suffering from significant deterioration.”