Travel restrictions in Forres as traffic lights are made operational at Orchard Road and St Catherine's Road
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A busy section of road in Forres is being restricted over two days this week as much-awaited traffic lights are finally made operational.
Moray Council has issued notification of temporary restrictions for Orchard Road from St Catherine’s Road to the Burdshaugh junctions on Wednesday, March 29, as well as Thornhill Road from St Catherine’s Road to Thornhill Place on Thursday, March 30, while the final pieces of work on the lights that were installed last week are completed.
The local authority’s leader Councillor Katherine Robertson (Forres, Conservative) believes the traffic lights will address safety issues at the junction that had a school crossing patrol officer until she was made redundant in June 2019 as a result of budget cuts.
She said: “Controls are necessary due to the increased flow of traffic coming from the south of Forres as a result of the expansion of housing.
“In the 22 years I have lived in Forres, the build out to the south hasn’t stopped. With this brings more families and children walking to schools, amenities and activities.
“With the cessation of school crossing patrollers a number of years ago, we have needed road safety measures to ensure we encourage safe active travel for the children and wider population of Forres.
“The Grantown Road is one of the main arteries for folk to travel south and many heavy goods vehicles as well as light traffic use the road. I am pleased that this has now been addressed.”
Site notices indicate road closures on Wednesday and an alternative route of St Catherines Road – Bridge Street – Castlehill Road – Orchard Road.
Similar advice will be displayed on Thursday advising of the alternative route available of Thornhill Road – Meikle Crook – Iowa Place – Nairn Road – St Catherine’s Road.
The £192,000 lights have been a long time coming – first highlighted in the Gazette in 2014 when a parent warned of the dangers for children crossing at the ‘brig’ junction on the way to and from school.
The last postponement was in October when the local authority confirmed global supply issues meant that vital parts would not be available until into the new year.
Councillor Scott Lawrence (Forres, SNP) is happy to see them up and running.
He said: “It’s great to see the traffic lights are functional at last – the delay was frustrating.
“The new junction will improve safety and traffic flow at what can be a very busy junction.”
