After more than 40 years of debate, councillors have overwhelmingly rejected a last-ditch attempt to delay a controversial road project.
The Highland Council voted by 66 to six to press ahead with the West Link, which is planned to reduce traffic congestion in the centre of Inverness by opening up the west of the city. It would connect the A82 Fort William Road to the A9 to Perth and the A96 to Aberdeen.
A year ago, a £67.8 million plan for a new high-level bridge crossing the River Ness and Caledonian Canal for the road was ruled out.
The council went with a £27.2m option featuring a swing bridge over the canal and a low-level river crossing. This has proven controversial due to its impact on recreational land. A petition was signed by more than 1400 people opposing the chosen option.
Five councillors tabled a motion yesterday asking the council to reconsider the issue. But the five councillors only persuaded one other to vote with them.
The council has a SNP/LibDem/Labour administration.
After the meeting, council leader Drew Hendry, who also leads the SNP group, said: We have committed £1.3m to developing this route and we will now press ahead with a planning application by late summer."
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