COUNCILLORS risk setting back economic development in Inverness by years unless they make a decision soon on a new road to ease congestion, construction chiefs have warned.

A meeting of the full Highland Council to consider the Inverness West Link road is due to be held next month.

The Highland Building Employers' Association says failure to make a decision at that meeting will send the project "back to the drawing board".

A West Link, crossing the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal, has been described by senior council officials as vital to tackling congestion and crucial for the growth of the city.

The development is expected to make the city more attractive for shoppers and businesses, as well as open up areas to the west of the city such as Torvean and around Ness Castle.

A high-level bridge, costing £67.8 million, that crosses the river and canal is among three options being considered.

The cheapest would involve a low-level swing bridge built over the canal near the Tomnahurich Bridge, a roundabout at the western end, with the road following the canal embankment before crossing the River Ness on another low bridge.

The third option, costing £27.2m, has a swing bridge and low-level river crossing, but a different road route.

A public consultation on the project was launched in December 2010 with a further period in November last year. A cross-party council group has shortlisted the three options from the original eight. It will meet on February 17 before recommending its preferred option on March 1.

Highland Building Employers' Association president, Willie Gray, said: "Even if a decision is made quickly, it will be a further four years before construction begins.

"If there is a further delay, I dread to think how long we will have to wait for the project to start."