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Forres traffic and parking survey


By Staff Reporter

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FORRES Community Council (FCC) has submitted a report on local parking and traffic issues to the police.

Nearly 200 people completed an online survey focused on roads, junctions and motorist behaviour in-and-around the town to find out what changes are required to improve driving in Forres.

FCC secretary Shaun Moat confirmed his colleagues will keep an eye on traffic concerns and highlight them directly with the Inspector Keli McPhail.

He said: "People are fed up of poor parking and everyone needs to be more considerate.

"We now need to get photos of all the areas highlighted and submit them to the police to see if they will back any changes required, then we can submit everything to Moray Council."

More respondents (99/180) indicated they were unhappy about parking in Forres than were not but 113 also admitted it was not difficult to find a parking space here.

Footway parking was cited as a problem (69/180), followed by being unable to pass oncoming traffic (30/180) and obstructed sightlines (30/180).

"Thankfully pathway parking is now against the law," said Mr Moat, "but with staffing constraints at our police station, it's unlikely that every incident will get dealt with as there is always going to be other more urgent police work."

The top five junctions with issues were Castlehill (50/180), High Street (42/180), St Catherine's Road ( 25/180), Orchard Road (22/180) and Tolbooth Street (20/180).

Mr Moat said: "The inspector has already backed double yellow lines at the takeaway area of the town but doesn't agree that there are issues with the other areas of concern."

Survey respondents pointed out that the problems occur during weekday mornings and afternoons, calling for more double yellow lines and enforcement of verge and pavement parking.

"School times," said Mr Moat. "We should be looking at the effect cars are having on our environment and encouraging children to walk or cycle to school."

FCC's report also included a number of comments from respondents.

"A dangerous area outside the Moray council office. There are quite often council vehicles or buses right on the corner. The bus stop could be moved and the council vehicles have no excuse as there is a car park in front of and at the rear of Auchernack."

"I am concerned about the volume of moving and stationary vehicles at Fleurs Place, especially around the two shops. Hundreds of children cross the street several times a day to take the footpath over the footbridge. They also queue up and gather in large numbers outside the two shops at break times and before and after school. Into and among all of that large delivery vehicles and customers in their cars try to find parking, blocking the footpath, the pavements, half the road and into Plasmon Lane.

"Fleurs Place allows parking all along on one side of the street so that the through traffic gets stuck on the bend and around the shops as well, because of oncoming vehicles. Even when the children are at school the traffic situation is bad. One cannot see who or what is coming round the corner or from behind. Older and disabled people from the two Hanover Housing sites in Plasmon Lane have to brave the chaos, too, especially when lots of people try to park or leave when they are getting their hot meals at the weekend."

"Drivers are parking on double yellow lines, particularly at the Post Office and the parcel office onNairn Road. The police need to be much more proactive within the town."

"There should be a traffic light crossing at the St Catherine's Road junction."



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