Aberlour pedestrian crossing set for April completion

TRANSPORT Scotland have confirmed they intend to complete a pedestrian crossing in Aberlour by next April.

Construction of the crossing is set to begin in early 2020 and will take six weeks to complete, BEAR Scotland, Transport Scotland's operating company, said. The location for the crossing is close to Queens Road and south of the village square.

Plans were confirmed in the summer but an update has been provided after Douglas Ross, Moray's Conservative MP, questioned Transport Scotland on the situation.

A letter from Transport Scotland to Mr Ross said: "The detailed design will commence after consultations are concluded. We propose the final details will be presented to the local stakeholders and the Community Council and posted in the local library.

"The construction of the pedestrian crossing and amendments to the parking provision are scheduled for completion prior to April 2020 and these changes will enhance pedestrian safety within the village of Aberlour."

BEAR Scotland added: "The detailed design will commence in November and the purchasing of the equipment is planned by the end of the year. Weather permitting, construction will commence early in the New Year taking approximately six weeks to install and commission.

"The preferred location for the new pedestrian crossing is immediately south of the village square. We have observed that the majority of pedestrians crossing occurred at this location close to Queens Road. Locating the crossing here shall be of benefit to local primary school children as well as being located on the core path route. This location also serves a number of amenities on both sides of the High Street and provides suitable crossing point for the nearby Aberlour Health Centre."

Douglas Ross was happy to hear the work will be complete by early next year. He said: "I wrote to Transport Scotland asking for an update on plans after local people contacted me to say they were not aware of any progress being made and the road was becoming increasingly dangerous.

"I'm reassured to see that investigations have been taking place locally and that stakeholders are being kept informed about the plans. Public consultation exercises have also been ongoing within the local community and preliminary designs have been outlined by Transport Scotland.

"I’m pleased they are committed to this project and look forward to seeing the crossing being completed by the spring."

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