Moray SNP News

LOCHHEAD MEETS TRANSPORT MINISTER

FORRES ISSUES TOP OF THE AGENDA

Richard Lochhead MSP this week met with the Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf MSP, to discuss a number of local issues including the campaign for a pedestrian crossing on the A96 at Forres, and the longstanding concerns around the cycle path between Brodie and Forres.

Mr Lochhead took the opportunity to reiterate the concerns of Forres Community Council around the safety of pedestrians crossing the A96 and encouraged the Transport Minister to look at what measures could be taken.  Moray’s MSP welcomed the commitment given by the Mr Yousaf to monitor the situation for the first few months after the opening of the new train station and to consider what long term road safety measures might be possible.

Mr Lochhead also raised the ongoing campaign for the cycle path from Brodie to Forres to be reinstated.  The pair discussed potential solutions including the possibility of Moray Council bidding for national funding to establish the path.  Mr Yousaf also promised to investigate future plans with regards to the dualling of the A96 and what this could potentially offer the stretch between Forres and Brodie.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Lochhead said:

“Meeting with the Transport Minister gave me a valuable opportunity to discuss a number of local issues, including the campaign for a pedestrian crossing  on the A96 at Forres.  As I promised the Community Council, I took the opportunity to go through their concerns with the Minister and to reiterate the fears locally around the increase in the number of pedestrians crossing the A96 with the frequency of train due to go up and that rail users must cross the main road to get to the train station.

“Whilst Transport Scotland has carried out a review and has stated its position that a pedestrian crossing isn’t required it is clear that the Community Council and some members of the public strongly disagree with that, so I think it is helpful that the Minister has committed to monitoring the situation once the new train station and what road safety measures might be possible. 

“We also discussed the longstanding campaign to reinstate the Brodie to Forres cycle path and what potential options there are for this issue to finally be resolved.  The Minister made some suggestions which I will now explore, including the possibility of the Moray Council bidding for national funding to carry out the necessary work.  He also agreed to look at future plans around the dualling of the A96 and whether this could potentially offer a solution for the stretch between Brodie and Forres.”