Veteran improving wheelchair access in Forres
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A LOCAL citizen has convinced Moray Council to increase easy access to public transport for fellow wheelchair users.
Having already successfully campaigned for a wider bus stop on Nairn Road to allow for bus ramps, Forres Community Councillor and veteran Ken Shand is now satisfied with the facility on Victoria Road at Grant Park.
He said: "I'm very happy to help put Forres on the map as a more accessible town. The extension at Nairn Road makes getting on and off for me and others a great help.
"A couple on holiday here last summer told me they had to get off the bus in the centre of town just to go all the way back to Grant Park as where the stop there was was too narrow. Now the council have moved the bus stop sign to a different lamp-post at Grant Park so no widening was needed so we're getting there!"
The local authority confirmed Mr Shand is now liaising with Tesco regarding approval for widening the bus stop on the north side of Nairn Road as it is on their land.
Mr Shand said: "My community council colleague Mike Walker is in contact with Tesco's management but it is going very slowly and is frustrating."
He added that he would like to see alterations at other local landmarks: "I have an idea for the roadside path around the edge of Sanquhar pond which wouldn’t interfere with the levee structure. It would be good to hear the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's point of view.
"Also, at the first bridge going across to the Mosset Tavern from the Victoria Hotel: the path is wide enough to raise, as they do for bus stops, with a safety rail installed at the roadside."
