Dunes Road to Findhorn under repair to open up East Beach car park
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A SHORTCUT to a popular beach is being repaired and re-opened ahead of an expected influx of local visitors and ‘staycationers’.
Findhorn Village Conservation Company (FVCC) secured £75,000 from the NatureScot Better Places Green Recovery Fund to carry out repair works on the Dunes Road and East Beach car park.
FVCC chairwoman, Christine Hunt, said: “The repair of Dunes Road has been on our wish list for a long time so we are grateful to NatureScot. The repairs will enable cars to use the East Beach car park and relieve congestion in the village. Visitors will be able to access the beach and dunes area, with local amenities just a walk away.”
Around five years ago, FVCC erected a sign warning that the track was no longer suitable for driving. The route was originally used to access salmon nets on the back shore. During work to build sea defences, the surface was strengthened to support lorries but over the years it broke down. The road was patched numerous times but ended up unsuitable for most vehicles. It also became wider in areas due to motorists driving and parking on the verges.
Local contractor Aaron’s Groundworks has started the repair work in the East Beach car park. The area is currently closed to vehicles beyond the disabled parking area. Work has also started on Dunes Road and the route will be closed for around three to four weeks.
“We apologise for any inconvenience,” said Christine. “The road will be reinstated as a single-track with passing places. Natural bunds will be established to protect the verges. Stopping vehicles parking on the verges will be achieved by installing wooden posts.”
She added: “It has taken a long time to get sufficient funding for this work. FVCC looks forward to safe access to the East Beach car park and disabled viewing point.”
Meanwhile, FVCC’s other major current project, the introduction of safe parking and overnight stopover pitches at the west beach car park, is up-and-running. Barriers manage overnight stays by motorhomes in 21 bays, where an online pre-booking system operates an automatic number plate recognition barrier.
Christine said: “The system is working well, and we had a full complement of vans at the weekend. We have also repaired two flights of beach steps and surveyed the remainder. We will be working with volunteers to carry out the required work. We also carried out a recent litter pick!”
She added: “To anyone who uses the car park: please keep donating £1 for use. FVCC also leases the public toilets there, which require cleaning and re-stocking. We need the support to keep on providing these facilities.”
