Floods and history challenge planned new link road

The Caledonian Canal is a scheduled monument

Challenges to building a new road for Inverness are to be tackled in a "risk workshop" involving Highland Council and Historic Scotland.

The West Link will connect the A96 and A9 with the A82.

Issues identified so far include the potential impact of the route crossing the River Ness flood plain and 19th Century Caledonian Canal.

British Waterways and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) will also take part in the workshop.

A group has already been set up to examine and agree solutions to engineering and environmental challenges to constructing the road.

It would link three trunk roads that connect Inverness with central Scotland, Aberdeen and the far north.

Highland Council said: "A key issue for the crossing of the River Ness is the consideration that the River Ness has an extensive flood plain and Sepa will have to be satisfied that any solution does not impact on it.

"Historic Scotland will also require to be satisfied that any proposals affecting the canal are in keeping with its status as a scheduled ancient monument."

Meanwhile, work has started on another major transport project.

Emergency repairs are having to be made to the Nether Lochaber slipway which serves the Corran Ferry.

A barge is to be used a temporary pier to ease disruption to the ferry service.