Invergordon's High Street is to undergo a major revamp thanks to a £500,000 funding package assembled by Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE) and The Highland Council.

The environmental renewal project will see significant changes to the central part of the High Street.  The scheme is intended to promote a safer pedestrian and shopping environment, which will be traffic calmed by introducing wider pavements and reducing the proportion of the street width devoted to traffic, as well as the removal of parking bays from the middle of the street.

Gateway features at each end of the High Street will be also installed in order to define the town centre, with new trees to be planted and improved street furniture to further enhance the area.

The move to revamp Invergordon's High Street follows a similar initiative in Alness in 2002.  At the time, the Alness High Street was considered to be in a worse state that Invergordon's is now and local agencies took a partnership approach to redevelop the area.  The Alness High Street has now been transformed into an attractive and popular destination for shoppers and visitors and as a direct result, over 11 full-time equivalent jobs have been generated.

It is hoped that this new environmental renewal project for Invergordon will reap similar benefits for the town.  One significant gain that is likely to result from this initiative will be the ability of Invergordon's town centre to attract the many thousands of cruise liner passengers that dock there each year to shop in the new-look High Street.

The two Highland Councillors serving Invergordon, Councillors Carolyn Wilson - chairman of the Ross and Cromarty Area Committee - and John Connell, have warmly welcomed the improvements.

The Council has worked closely with the Invergordon Initiative over a long period to plan the improvements and £250,000 has been earmarked from the Planning and Development Service capital budget for the project.  This represents a significant commitment to the historic naval town, which is fast emerging as a popular destination for cruise liners.  The improvements will give the town a welcome facelift, appreciated by residents and visitors alike.

RACE chief executive Gordon Cox said: "Invergordon is a priority area for RACE and as an organisation, we are already committed to several initiatives aimed at improving the town's fortunes.

"This particular project is extremely important and will provide Invergordon with a much needed boost.  By improving the attractiveness of the town centre we can help to boost local confidence - especially in the retail sector - and restore a sense of civic pride for residents."

Work on the upgrade of Invergordon's High Street is due to begin early next year and should be completed by late spring.