Almost £2 million has been earmarked to help ease congestion when resurfacing work starts on the Kessock Bridge next year.

The 30-year-old bridge carries the A9 and is used by 30,000 vehicles a day.

A range of roads and public transport measures will be put in place by Transport Scotland between now and February, including extra seating capacity on trains and buses and more car parking at Dingwall and Beauly stations.

Transport Scotland is investing £18m to upgrade the bridge.

The first phase of the resurfacing will be from February until June 2013.