Holm Community Council approached Highland Council’s TEC Services department to replace the downed fence.

They felt it was needed for children’s safety, preventing them accessing a dangerous embankment. It also prevented youngsters from gaining easy access to alleged drinking dens in the area.

Community council chairman Steve Rogers said this week TEC Services told him it does not have the money for the £3,000 metal railing.

He said : “A wooden fence along the boundary of Holm Primary School has been extensively damaged and another chain link fence was smashed down to provide a direct access to the river.

“At first I was told this was an issue for the educational authority and then I was eventually told it was TEC Services’ responsibility. Then Councillor Norrie Donald managed to get a quote for the work and in-formed me the money to fix this situation wasn’t there.”

He added: “The council initially put the first fence in, so surely it has the obligation to maintain it. It seems bizarre that I have to apply for a lottery grant to get a new one.”

Chris Claridge, Highland Council Inverness area manager, admitted there is a question mark about who is responsible for the upkeep of the fence.

He said: “As far as I am aware, the fence was not put in by Highland Council, but it could have been installed by the old district council.

“The community council has approaching various organisations looking for financial assistance and a final offer from Highland Council is still being looked at.

Holm Community Council chairman Steve Rodger at the site of the damaged fences at Holm Primary School. Trevor Martin

“We need to find out who is responsible, who will replace it and what sort of assistance can be offered by the council.”

According to a TEC Services report handed to Mr Rogers, to supply and erect a two-metre high fence would cost almost £1,750.

TEC Services chairman Norrie Donald offered to use £1,000 towards the construction of the fence from his discretionary budget.

But that offer was then retracted because he is not the elected member for the area and cannot make an offer unless permission is granted by the Loch Ness East councillor Ella MacRae.

Mr Rogers added: “I am worried that there is an accident waiting to happen, and the fence needs to be put up immediately.”

c.hay@highland-news.co.uk

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