Ross demands action to repair potholed Rafford road
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MORAY MP Douglas Ross has called for repairs to a road near Forres to be carried out as soon as possible.
Mr Ross has stated it is nearly a year since Moray Council and developer Springfield Properties agreed to work together to repair an unclassified road in Forres damaged by HGVs shifting topsoil.
With no apparent action 12 months later, the MP is once again calling on the organisations to honour their pledge and carry out the work as soon as possible.
Mr Ross was commenting after local residents complained that the surface of the C14e in the Rafford area was worse than ever with no sign of any work being carried out.
He said: “I initially raised the issue on behalf of residents in 2020, after receiving complaints that access roads to their properties were badly damaged by heavy lorries moving topsoil from a site on Mannachie Road.
“Over the past year, residents have continued to report a deterioration of the road as more and more potholes have appeared on the C14e despite some initial repairs being carried out.
“I have continued to raise this with both the council and Springfield, but we are no further forward, with each blaming the other and stating they cannot take responsibility.
“The fact is, somebody has to. Residents are currently having to negotiate a road which was never designed to be used by heavy lorries and has been damaged as a consequence.
“I was pleased when Springfield and Moray Council agreed to work together to restore the local roads to at least the state they were in before this work started. Springfield has confirmed they are still willing to do this, however, they have been repeatedly asked when this work will be carried out but we are still waiting.
“Springfield have stated they are waiting for the council to get back to them as their sub-contractor has denied making the road any worse, while the council state it is not their responsibility and they don’t have any funds.
“This situation has caused significant disruption to people living locally, with reports of damage to vehicles due to potholes so someone must take responsibility and this road must be prioritised for repairs.”
Moray councillor for Forres, Claire Feaver added: “I have been working with council colleagues for well over a year and had hoped the issue would have been resolved by now, but unfortunately this is not the case.
“As I understand, this is a matter for the landowner and developer to come to an agreement which will mean the road being reinstated to a condition acceptable for all residents affected.”
Springfield Managing Director (North), Dave Main, said that the firm had left the issue with the council to take forward.
He continued: “We are as committed to contributing to the repairs of the C14e as we were when the condition of the road was brought to our attention.
“Although we agree the road needs to be improved, Springfield’s use of the road isn’t the only cause of its deterioration and last year we presented information to Moray Council, including photos showing the condition of the road before our use. We’ve left this in their hands to progress and would welcome a meeting with the council to agree our next steps and put a plan in place to revive this road for local residents.”
A spokesperson for Moray Council said: “ We’re aware of the damage to the private road adjacent to the C14e, however as this is a private road the council has no legal responsibility under the roads Scotland act to intervene.
"In relation to the damage caused on the public road C14e, appropriate repairs have been undertaken and road will continue to be monitored.”
The road is used by the Forestry Commission and by tractors, trailers and various farm vehicles, horse riders and horse boxes, delivery drivers and finally residents’ cars. Residents are concerned that apart from their own transport, if emergency vehicles are unable to gain access along this road in icy conditions, they will be at risk.