Council and police must agree on next step
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SAFETY concerns over a town centre blackspot have prompted police to ask for road improvements.
Following repeated complaints about near misses between eastbound and westbound motorists in the when vehicles are parked outside the Kebabish and Speedy Pepper takeaways, and a number of discussions at Forres Community Council (FCC) about the risk, local officers have requested that the Moray Council's traffic department take new measures
Inspector Keli McPhail explained: "We would prefer double yellow lines at the top of the high street at the junction with Castlehill Road as it causes problems for drivers to pass any parked vehicles off the bend and to exit the junction safely. Currently the single yellow line allows parking after 6pm but there is sufficient parking nearby to allow customers to continue to visit these premises with the minimal impact on them."
Insp McPhail is awaiting a response from the verbal request but has confirmed that she will put it in writing if required.
Moray Council's spokeswoman confirmed they have been approached by the police regarding traffic concerns on Forres High Street.
She added: "We liaise directly with Police Scotland to discuss traffic concerns and potential mitigation measures, including the introduction of double yellow lines. We agree on what action is to be taken and this would be added to the list of works to be carried out, with consideration to existing budgets and resource.
"This now requires further discussion with our partners in Police Scotland, and it may also be necessary to undertake site observations to determine how difficult the site is during the evening."
FCC chairman Graham Hilditch would also welcome double yellow lines in the junction area of Forres High Street and Castehill Road.
He said: "We have been pressing for this for a number of years. Castlehill is now a well-used route by motorists trying to avoid delays at the Orchard Road-St Catherine's Road junction.
"Cars parking in the High Street opposite are a hazard, and a serious accident will happen with oncoming traffic having to pull to the opposite side of the road to avoid them."
He added: "I use this road daily, and I have had a number of near misses, and been subject to abuse from drivers of cars and vans illegally parked on double yellow lines at the top of Castlehill."
