Overnight work for up to 20 weeks on A9 crossing

The Cromarty Bridge carries the A9 and is on the North Coast 500 tourist route

Overnight work lasting about 20 weeks is to be carried out on the A9's Cromarty Bridge.

Trunk road maintenance company Bear Scotland said essential maintenance was needed on both lanes of the crossing near Dingwall.

It said from 21 July there would be a 30mph limit, temporary traffic lights and construction work would be done between 19:00 and 06:00 in an effort to minimise disruption.

Bear Scotland said temporary traffic lights would not be operated in daytime during the Black Isle Show and Belladrum Tartan Heart festival.

The events near Beauly are due to take place over the end of July and start of August.

They attract tens of thousands of people.

The Cromarty Bridge is also on the popular North Coast 500 tourist route.

Euan Scott, of Bear Scotland said: "This refurbishment is an important investment in this major structure by Transport Scotland which will help ensure the long-term integrity of the bridge.

"We are committed to completing this essential maintenance as quickly and safely as possible.

"Please plan ahead by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up-to-date journey information and leave some extra time to complete journeys."

Meanwhile, Scottish Water has proposed postponing a water main upgrade that would close two-mile (1.2km) stretch of the A862 at Dingwall for more than three months.

The company said it had listened to local concerns and planned to put off the work until next spring.

The closure was expected to last about 13 weeks between 7 July and 26 September.