A leading Inverness estate agent has predicted that completion of a new £55million road could send house prices soaring in the west of the city.
John Gell, founding director of Simply Let, said the opening of the West Link was likely to have a “positive” effect on values in areas such as Kinmylies, New Craigs and Scorguie.
By 2020, motorists should be able to bypass the city centre by travelling from the A82 Fort William road to the A96 Aberdeen road and A9 Perth route, along the southern distributor road, via a new bridge over the River Ness and a swing bridge over the Caledonian Canal.
It is hoped completion of the congestion-busting West Link will take thousands of vehicles out of the heart of the Highland capital.
The project has also already paved the way for new housing and other economic development at Ness-side and Torvean, with Tulloch Homes having unveiled a £250million vision to build 800 homes in the area.
But Mr Gell predicted that there could be a knock-on effect on existing homeowners and landlords in the city’s western neighbourhoods.
Writing in an online blog, he said: “Properties between the river and canal are popular with tenants who don’t drive because of their proximity to the city-centre.
“But Kinmylies and Scorguie properties have tended to be a bit slower to let because they’re on the wrong side of town for major employers such as Raigmore and Lifescan. West Link will change that.
“Its completion will allow ready access, without the need to cross the city centre or endure the Longman queues, to Raigmore, Lifescan and the business parks beside the southern distributor road.
“This is likely to increase tenant demand in areas such as Kinmylies and New Craigs with, other things being equal, a consequential positive impact on rental values.
“Similarly, increasing popularity of such areas with purchasers is likely to see capital values rise. By how much? Only time will tell as the post-construction balance between supply and demand plays out.”
A 330ft crane is currently fitting the steel beams into place that will form the new River Ness bridge for the West Link.
