work to start soon

Use Immediate Issued: MONDAY 14^TH MARCH, 2005

WORK TO START SOON IN SOMERLED SQUARE

A Ł162,000 scheme to regenerate the centre of Portree – at Somerled Square – will start on Monday 21^st March.

The proposals follow on from a study, produced in December 2000 by Turnbull Jeffrey. This was completed after extensive public consultation and contained numerous proposals for Somerled Square and other central areas of the town. The anticipated costs of implementing all of the proposed works were however, far beyond the budgetary capabilities of any of the likely funding partners.

The go ahead follows a local consultation held over the last year with the Portree Regeneration Partnership. The scheme includes:

	reconfiguration of the bus bays within the existing area within Somerled Square;
	renewed and upgraded pedestrian surfaces to the existing pedestrian area within the square;
	new pedestrian walkways in the vicinity of the bus lay-bys;
	provision of an electricity and water supply to the central pedestrian area; and
	improved street lighting,

Local contractors Craik and McCrae have won the contract for the works, which is due to be completed in 10 weeks.

The Highland Council has confirmed its funding package for the scheme through its Planning and Development and TEC Services Capital Programmes. HITRANS is also contributing to the scheme.

Councillor Drew Millar, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Skye and Lochalsh Area Committee said: "I am delighted that this is going ahead. It is a much needed facelift for the Square and I am happy that our planners have taken into account as much as possible, the views of the community.

The project will do a great deal to regenerate the village centre of Portree and make it a more pleasant area to carry out social activities such as markets and fund raising events, as well as being a more attractive place to just sit and enjoy the surroundings."

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For further information please contact: Dorothy Maxwell, Principal Projects Officer, The Highland Council, Planning and Development Service, tel: (01463) 702280

Date Last updated : 14/03/05