Work on a £4.17 million new access road linking Inverness Airport and the A96 Inverness - Aberdeen road got underway this week.

In addition to vastly improving surface access to the rapidly expanding airport, the new two kilometre road will also unlock the development potential of land surrounding the airport site.

The road and associated access infrastructure is being funded by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (£1,400,000); The Highland Council (£1,175,000); Inverness and Nairn Enterprise (£550,000). On top of this the European Regional Development Fund, through the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme 2000-2006, is contributing £1,042,000.

The contract will last one year. While the existing route, via Castle Stuart, will remain open, the new route will be signposted as the main access to the airport. The road will stretch from a new roundabout on the A 96 just east of the Petty Church of Scotland, to the airport, via a bridge over the Inverness - Aberdeen railway line and three other roundabouts.

Councillor Charlie King, chairman of The Highland Council's Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee, said: "We are delighted that construction of the new access road has now begun. It will allow the airport to get an access road befitting its status as the key air hub of the Highlands and Islands."

Bob Macleod, Managing Director of HIAL, said: "The airport's passengers have increased by more than 60% since 2000 and improved surface access will be of benefit to all airport users. It is also a significant step towards realising the ambitious Inverness Airport Business Park project in conjunction with our joint venture partners."

Stuart Black, Chief Executive of INE, said: "This is a significant step towards us developing this strategic site and maximising its full economic potential for Inverness and the Highlands. The airport business park development will be particularly attractive to potential inward investors looking to locate in this area."

The contract has been awarded to Mowlem Northern Civil Engineering. Consulting engineers for the project are Halcrow Group Ltd.

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