A community’s war with Scottish Water has intensified amid claims a planned route to a sewage works is too narrow for heavy trucks.
Residents in and around Ardersier have fought a long campaign against the utility’s proposals to upgrade the plant to accommodate thousands of new homes between Inverness and Nairn.
They believe the new works should be built closer to the properties and that increased capacity at the existing sewage station poses an unnecessary risk of causing a stench in a popular tourist area.
Scottish Water has council approval to upgrade the plant just north of the village and the focus is now on traffic management.
A 20mph convoy system has been arranged for the single track C1005.
Construction traffic was initially expected to access the plant through Ardersier.
Scottish Water now intends using the back road linking the B9092 with the B9006 at Fort George.
Objectors are demanding a rethink on the grounds of “excess noise, vibration and unsuitability for HGVs”.
At a recent public debate on the issue, one resident said part of the road was totally unsuitable for HGVs because it was built across a peat bog.
Local objector Clive Meredith said: “The C1005 is exceptionally narrow – barely 98 inches wide in many parts – while the standard width of HGVs in the UK is 102 inches.
“Quite how Scottish Water propose to get dozens of these vehicles down there every day during the construction phase is incomprehensible.
“Highland Council have worked hand in hand with the company to progress the road closure and are now perceived by local residents as assisting Scottish Water in their strategic operational and financial objectives at the expense of local democracy and accountability.”
A spokesman for Scottish Water said: “This vital project will bring multiple benefits to the area and the route proposed comes after discussions with local people and the council.
“Following those meetings and events over recent months, the proposal was devised to minimise the impact of construction vehicles in the village.
“We’ve recently discussed the draft traffic management plan with Ardersier and Petty Community Council. It will now be finalised and submitted to Highland Council for consideration.”
