Forres group's bid to 'turbo charge' safe school routes plan
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IF Forres comes together, safe off-road routes to town schools can be set up.
That is the view of Judith Binney from group Active Travel Forres (ATF), which held a "very successful" first formal meeting on Tuesday, May 2.
ATF aims to support Council efforts to make travelling in town easier and safer for people who wish to walk, cycle or use wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
The May 2 meeting saw around 20 community members turn out, as well as Green MSP Ariane Burgess, Councillors Paul McBain and Scott Lawrence, and community councillor Kevin Skivington.
Despite a consensus that many of Forres' major routes require improvement, setting up easy routes to school for children and parents was identified as the top priority.
A list of problem areas were passed to Moray Council's Janet Macdonald, active travel officer, and Elaine Penny, transport engineer.
Then, a week later, ATF used a site visit alongside Council officers to help sketch out their goal of a route from Forbeshill to Andersons, Applegrove and the Academy.
Ms Binney, a retired physiotherapist, said there were "many problems" to overcome, but with community support "we know that it can be done".
"There are many problems, but to allow children to be healthy and independent, decrease the number of cars doing the school run and reduce costs for families, every single one was examined and a possible way forward suggested," she said.
"It will take a lot of time and effort and support from the whole community, but we know it can be done if people want it to be.
"The aim of the group is to speed up what the Active Travel Officer can do in Forres.
"As she only has a tiny budget to cover the whole of Moray.
"We aim to raise grant money from sources the Council cannot access, so the Council can use those funds to turbo charge the changes we need in Forres."
The public can play a vital role in getting ATF's plans up and running, Ms Binney said.
Proving widespread public support is key to securing grant cash, she added, and there are plenty of jobs for volunteers to get stuck into.
She said: "You can help us, as ATF needs more members, to show that the community is behind us when we apply for grants.
"We want people from every age group and background, every colour and creed, so the whole town can be represented. And we also need more help on the committee.
"Your help could make a difference. Please contact us."
ATF can be reached through their Facebook group or by emailing: forresactivetravel@gmail.com
The developments in ATF's travel push come on the heels of a public consultation on improve active travel throughout Forres.
The recently-closed Council survey will be used to improve sticking points on St Leonard's Road, the Victoria Roundabout and the junction between Grant Drive and the Grantown Road.
