Update 16/07/21
GCU/Cityfibre are reviewing their works requirement for the B862 but have, in the meantime, suspended the work planned for next week. They may decide that the work is still required but at least it won’t now happen during the busy tourist season. GCU/cityfibre are to issue a formal response to the CCs.
They are, however, looking to progress works along the Southern Distributor Road and some disruption is likely. We are currently discussing options with them with the view to reducing disruption. They will keep us and the other CCs up to speed.
Update 15/07/21
following an online meeting with the main contractor the following report by John Martin who attended
“No official confirmation, but it seems like the work will now be carried
out overnight.
However, questions remain over what daytime arrangement will remain in
place.”
Update 12/07/21
We have had some information from the contractor doing the work the attached plans are quite hard to read so Im hoping a member of the CC is able meet with them this week to clarify
No doubt many have seen the signs up announcing the road closure from the roundabout to the junction with Torbreck.
We had contacted the HC to see if it was anything they had planned as there was no notification but it wasn’t anything to do with them.
It turns out it is the city fibre broadband connection to the Torbreck Road that is being installed.
It is being delayed a week to allow for notification to go out to the surrounding communities
I will copy the reply from the HC below and update with more detail from City Fibre as and when I get it.
Dear All
We have spent a good part of today trying to resolve this matter with Cityfibre and others. We recently met with them on site and both they, and the council, are under pressure to help facilitate the completion of the Public Service Network (PSN). The SDR forms a key link, plus they also require access to the B862.
It was our understanding that they were to programme their works in a manner where they would work from east to west, from Inshes Retail Park roundabout to Holm roundabout. We agreed that the work should be carried out during the school holiday period, and completion was to have been by the end of the week prior to the schools returning. We were therefore surprised to see the advance warning signage, as it was not what we were expecting.
We asked Cityfibe to delay by a week in order to allow more time for notifications to be carried out, and I’m pleased to report that we have reached agreement on this. As a result there will be no single lane closure of the B862 (Holm Roundabout to Torbreck) next week.
Regards
Alistair MacLeod: IEng FIHE,
Principal Technician,
Highland Council,
Infrastructure and Environment,
94 Diriebught Road,
Inverness,
IV2 3QN,