Kessock Bridge car share plea

MOTORISTS have been praised after the first week of the Kessock Bridge roadworks, but transport officials are warning next week is set to be different.

Police have also revealed 27 motorists have been charged with speeding in the busy section of the A9 that covers the bridge and surrounding area and two drivers were caught using the dedicated bus and heavy goods vehicle lane without permission.

Scotland TranServ, which is carrying out the £13.2million refurbishment, has issued a plea for more motorists to car share in a bid to reduce the number of vehicles using the route between Inverness and the Black Isle.

Delays at peak time are expected to worsen next week because it is the end of the school holidays — a period where traffic is often lighter.

"Monday is going to be different," said a Scotland TranServ spokesman. "We expect a significant rise in traffic and we would ask for people to recognise that and try to make different arrangements.

"Car occupancy levels are still poor, so we would ask people to seriously consider giving people lifts."

Major refurbishment of the bridge will last for 17 weeks and will include the closure of the northbound carriageway, with a contraflow system on the southbound lanes.

Several measures, including additional public transport, has been put in place in a bid to reduce the number of motorists using the route during the work.

"At peak commuting times delays are inevitable and it is pleasing to note that motorists are planning their journeys in advance and giving themselves extra time to reach their destination," said inspector Neil Lumsden, Northern Constabulary’s head of road policing.

"Motorists travelling across the Kessock Bridge since Monday will now be aware that a range of traffic management measures are in place on the approach to and on the bridge.

"These measures, which include reduced speed limits and a dedicated HGV an bus lane, are necessary to protect the workforce involved in the bridge works, to assist the flow of traffic at peak times and to ensure as much as possible the free flow of public transport and the haulage industry.

"I would like to thank motorists for their patience whilst the bridge works continue and would encourage public transport use and car sharing where possible to reduce the risk of delays at peak commuting times."

For real time journey planning information, including queue lengths and access to live cameras, visit: www.trafficscotland.org