North Kessock Junction
North Kessock Junction | |||
Location Map ( geo) | |||
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Location | |||
North Kessock, Inverness | |||
County | |||
Inverness-shire | |||
Highway Authority | |||
Transport Scotland | |||
Junction Type | |||
GSJ | |||
Roads Joined | |||
A9 | |||
The North Kessock Junction was originally opened as an at-grade turning when the Kessock Bridge was opened. This was then a common feature on the A9, with an uncontrolled central reservation gap for right turning traffic. The junction was also a crossroads, with the minor road heading north to Munlochy adding to the conflict of turning traffic, although there is far less traffic using this road. However, as traffic levels increased such a junction became ever more dangerous, and eventually was reconstructed with a new underpass allowing southbound traffic to access North Kessock without crossing northbound traffic.
Due to the lie of the land, the new underpass lies to the west of the old junction, which has been largely retained and is connected via a new roundabout on the south side. To the north, the road to Munlochy now turns off at a simple give way line, again showing the comparative differences in traffic flows. There is also a separate underpass for cyclists and pedestrians. The roundabout is a five arm junction, although when built only 3 were in use. These were the link to the northbound A9, the new road via the underpass and the existing road into North Kessock. One of the stubs has since been opened into a new housing estate, but the one into the small green area within the junction remains unused.
In 2023 a planning application was submitted for a retail development, consisting of a convenience store, drive-though coffee shop and electric car changing bays, on the land within the junction to the south of the A9, accessed from the unused exit from the roundabout.
Routes
Route | To | Notes |
Inverness | via Kessock Bridge | |
Thurso, Ullapool (A835) | ||
North Kessock, Charleston | ||
Kilmuir, Drumsmittal |
Links
- Development plans 2023 (archive.org)