Major Inverness roadworks could finish three months late

Improvements to one of Inverness' busiest roundabouts could be completed about three months later than planned.

New traffic signals and pedestrian access are being installed at the Raigmore Interchange.

The work started in January and was due to be completed this month, but trunk roads company Bear Scotland said it might not finished until late July or early August.

It said emergency repairs to a gas main at the site had "severely disrupted" progress on the improvements.

The interchange includes a large roundabout with a flyover and links up the A9, A96 and B865 - a road that takes traffic into the city.

In February, SNG warned that thousands of homes in Inverness could lose their gas supply if part of a pipeline at the Raigmore Interchange was not replaced.

The utilities company said it had planned to start a project reinforcing pipes at the busy Raigmore Interchange in March.

But engineers discovered a section was in urgent need of replacement, and said at the time it could take about 15 weeks to repair.

Bear Scotland said it hoped to complete its improvements as soon as possible.

A spokesperson said: "Whilst there has been a delay with the delivery of traffic signals equipment for the project, our programme of works has been severely disrupted by urgent emergency gas main replacement works which have been outwith our control."

Bear Scotland said it was reviewing its construction programme in discussion with SGN.

The spokesperson added: "Open excavations, for the gas main works, in the vicinity of the roundabout are currently preventing various key tasks involved in the completion of the project, including the installation and commissioning of new street lighting, traffic signs and permanent traffic signals, as well as road resurfacing works.

"All works are expected to be completed by late July/early August, with this date brought forward where possible."

Elsewhere, an oil leak has affected the operation of a swing bridge over the Caledonian Canal in Inverness.

Torvean Swing Bridge was closed to road traffic early last week after the fault in the structure's hydraulic system.

Highland Council said: "The hydraulic oil used in the system has been contained and has not contaminated the canal.

"It is an eco-friendly biodegradable oil which is not readily available and will have to be sourced.

"We aim to have the bridge reopened as soon as the hydraulic oil can be sourced and replaced by engineers."

The nearby Tomnahurich Swing Bridge has remained open to traffic.