Highland Council have issued warnings to motorists planning to use the Castle Street area of Inverness next week to expect delays.
From Monday to Saturday traffic will be disrupted from 51 to 53 Castle Street as workers dismantle scaffolding on the building next door to the kilt makers Duncan Chisholm & Sons.
Scaffolding has been in place since late January after the building was issued with a Dangerous Buildings Notice by the Highland Council. The notice was issued after inspections by the local authority found that additional works were required to protect the public from falling masonry from the decaying roof.
The works were carried out by workers on behalf of the Highland Council with the costs of making the stonework safe being recovered from the owners. The Building (Scotland) Act 2003 requires the local authority to conduct repair works where the owner refuses or is unable to following the implementation of a Dangerous Building Notice.
One lane of Castle Street will be closed off from Monday to allow contractors to remove materials and dismantle the erected scaffold. Highland Council have advised motorists to avoid Castle Street during the lane closure as delays are expected for the duration of the week. Alternative through routes are available via the West Link or Friars Bridge.
Works to the listed building were carried out under the supervision of a structural engineer, building standards, planning officers and the Council’s conservation officer. Historic Environment Scotland was also consulted during the repairs.
A Charging Order will now be issued to the property owners on behalf of the Highland Council as a means of recovering the cost of repair works.
Disruption to road users is anticipated to have ended ahead of the Loch Ness Etape cycling event taking place on Sunday April 29.
