Plan to fix 'shocking' A96 stretch

A RUTTED stretch of the A96 in Moray is to be patched up next month after road users raised concerns.

Transport Scotland made the undertaking after Moray Conservative MP and road safety campaigner Douglas Ross wrote to its chief executive, Roy Brannen, to highlight the poor state of the road surface on the A96 Alves crawler lane.

Several constituents had raised concerns.

Mr Ross said: "The surface of the road on the A96 at the Alves crawler lane is in a shocking state of repair due to wear and tear and the volume of traffic using it.

"While I appreciate that the road surfaces around Moray, like elsewhere in the country, leave a lot to be desired, this particular stretch of road is situated on a primary route which has a heavy volume of traffic passing over it.

"The fact that it is also a section of road where there is a lane utilised for overtaking makes it more important that the surface is in a good condition. The last thing we need is a collision caused by this inadequate road surface.

"After being contacted by several local people expressing concern, I’ve now received a response from the chief executive of Transport Scotland advising me that the resurfacing work on this stretch of road will be undertaken next month, weather permitting.

"I’m pleased this work will be undertaken shortly as for too long we have had to put up with an inadequate road surface on this stretch of carriageway."

Transport Scotland, which has overall responsibility to ensure the maintenance and safe operation of the Scottish trunk road network, said BEAR Scotland had identified road defects on the Alves stretch. The work next month will include localised patching repairs and larger sections of road resurfacing as appropriate.

People can report specific defects on trunk roads by phoning 0800 028 1414.

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