Inverness campus information day planned

AN Inverness campus information day is being held next month.

The event, which will be held at Inshes Church on October 11 from 10.30am until 7.30pm will provide further detained information on the project which includes a 215-acre location for education, research, business and community use - with detailed maps, plans and information boards available.

There will also be detailed information available on a number of important campus components, including the proposed access arrangements.

The campus project will provide a home for Inverness College, UHI, Scottish Agricultural College, the Centre for Health Science and a training hotel as well as deliver sports, arts and other community facilities.

Concerns about the plans have been raised by Westhill Community Council which wants to see a roundabout and not the proposed traffic light controlled crossroads at Inshes Veterinary Centre on the B9006 Culloden Road off the A9.

They believe a roundabout will help alleviate traffic ahead of the planned multi- million pound campus which is being funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Ruaraidh MacNeil, Project Director with HIE, said: "There has been a lot of interest in road access to Inverness campus recently, so we’re holding this session to show detailed drawings of our access plans. These will explain how our proposals have been designed to provide a safe and effective access solution to the campus.

"We look forward to welcoming anyone who’s interested in learning more about the campus. There will be people on hand to talk about all aspects of the development, which we hope will start on site soon."

The information day will follow a meeting between local community councils, Highland Council, HIE and Transport Scotland the evening before.

Mr MacNeil added: "We have consulted the local community closely at all stages of development of Inverness Campus. We are currently also working with Raigmore Community Council as we develop proposals for a pedestrian and cycle bridge over the A9 which will link the campus with Raigmore Estate and the city centre."

HIE first announced plans to invest £25m to create Inverness Campus in September 2009. Once fully developed, the site is expected to support up to 6,000 local jobs and generate £38m for the regional economy every year.

For more information about Inverness Campus, visit www.invernesscampus.co.uk