Yes - The retail parks are taking people out of the high streets. In high streets, communities come together; they meet, bump into one another, catch up etc. In retail parks people do not go to socialise but simply to shop. Also with the development of more retail parks in Elgin, we are losing our unique identity which makes us so attractive to tourists from other parts of the country and abroad. We are losing far too many local businesses because they cannot compete with the big businesses in retail parks. Without local business we'll be a carbon copy of every other town and city in the country. I am very sad at the slow decline of the High Street and I am disgusted at Moray Council's lack of concern or action about it. Nafees Mahmud
Yes - Elgin High Street is a dump! Rip up the cobbles and let traffic flow one way through the town with 1/2 hour limited parking on the opposite side. People will not walk, accept that fact and act on it and we just might rejuvenate the High Street. Instead of charity shops (pay little or no taxes) we may get some shops that are worthwhile. JK
No - It will attract more people from outlying areas to shop in Elgin, rather than having to travel to Inverness or Aberdeen. C Elliott
No - Street markets and cafes with outdoor seating would attract people to the High Street. Brass bands playing on the plainstones etc. People would like the opportunity to 'linger' down the High Street with their children etc and enjoy a sense of community. Retail parks offer the opportunity to 'shop and go' with immediate free parking ideal for heavy purchases or with kids in tow. Keeping the High Street tidy and attractive would go a long way. No more bookies and charity shops, offer incentives for small local businesses to locate to the High Street. Shift teenagers throwing litter when bins are available! Definitely room for both. Elgin residents should have a choice of either. Tam
Yes - It's an area of socialising as well as shopping and if the crowds move to a more 'convenient' site then the small shops don't stand a chance. What a pity. D. Lubbe
Yes - I don't live in Mosstodloch but I do have a niece living there who has two young children. I drive through the village very regularly and I can tell you that the speed limits are ignored by the majority of drivers. Do we really have to wait until there is a fatal accident before taking action? The speed limit should be reduced now to 30mph and, before and after school times be reduced to 20mph. Signs which indicate the speed of oncoming traffic from both directions should be in position and I would also consider a green man crossing. Any drivers complaining should note that the distance is only about a mile and that the time lost will only be minutes. Stan Ross
Maybe - Without further information, one cannot accurately comment on this poll. If the crime rate is unchanged, yet fewer people are going to jail, then the answer is yes. If the crime rate has gone down, and fewer people are going to jail, then the answer may be no. If laws have been changed so it's no longer a crime, and fewer people are going to jail as a result, then they aren't being soft on crime. Otherwise, without further analysis, the only honest answer can be maybe yes, maybe no. Rand B Allan
Yes - It should be scrapped instead of wasting the 600 billion in trying to rebuild a new aircraft from an old unit. They should have modified an existing Boeing or airbus etc, who's fuselage and engines and electrics etc are modern and up to date. Remember the Nimrod is an old 1950s comet airliner and after speaking with the guys who fly in this thing, a lot of aircrew can't wait to transfer to another squadron, to newer aircraft. The guys pray every time they take off, not for a safe flight but to hope the aircraft makes it back. Ally
Yes - This is not a decision to keep the school open just for the benefit of the two pupils that attend it at present, it is a positive decision which benefits the whole of the Cabrach Community and the positive effect this may have on its future, which is incredibly difficult to quantify. Rural schools are not just schools, they are often central to rural communities and can also be social centres. Keeping the school open could well attract more families to the area, which many people would think of as a very desirable place to live, especially for primary school age children. Rosemary Dempster
No - I use my own bags so this would not affect me directly. I made the informed decision myself in order to help the environment. Clubcard points are, of course, an added bonus. However, many people on low incomes/unemployed/pensioners would find this an extra burden on perhaps already tight finances. Supermarkets and retailers make enough of a profit from shoppers without adding more to their coffers - even if the money did not go directly to the store, they would be saving on production costs as the number of bags issued would inevitably fall. Why should the cost and responsibility fall to the average shopper yet again, this is just another way for the council/scottish government to shirk their responsibilities and pass the buck to the consumer. Mrs N Wall
Yes - I have a 13-year-old who thinks it’s cool to drink while hanging out with his pals on Lossie streets at the weekend. I don’t allow him to do this but the risk of being caught by the police might be more of a reason to stop rather than being grounded every weekend. The amount of trouble in Lossie at certain events of the year has made it less enjoyable attending some of them. Taking young kids to areas where people are staggering around swearing and drunk is a bit scary both for them and me. Enjoy a few myself but happy to be inside a pub. Kerrie Bellingham
Yes - Whyever would you want to buy food imported from elsewhere when local good are available? Beggars belief. Realizing that few oranges are grown in Scotland, purchase them from Spain. Bananas from Costa Rica. Possibly apples from England. Do business with people you know. Douglas Fuller
