Moray MP Douglas Ross has welcomed “positive action” that is set to be taken by the council in relation to safety concerns at the Victoria Roundabout in Forres.
Douglas had contacted council officials on behalf of concerned constituents who had been increasingly alarmed at the speed of motorists heading north on St Catherine’s Road across the roundabout and onto Market Street in the town.
He said the problem had been exacerbated by parked vehicles close to the roundabout, on the western side of St Catherine’s Road.
While Douglas says he appreciates that this location does not have a high collision rate, he wanted to see “robust measures” taken by the council before the inevitable does happen.
He says that there have been many narrow misses including instances involving school children as they try and cross at Grantown Road from Nairn Road onto Bridge Street at the junction.
Douglas had asked the council to consider putting down rumble strips on St Catherine’s Road as well as installing a ‘slow down’ sign at the approach to the roundabout.
The council are not currently considering these options, but responded to Douglas with a positive update over improvements they are planning to take.
Council officials are working on options that would see the available carriageway width available for vehicles reduced and it reallocated for pedestrians and cyclists. They will consult with the community council and other interested parties as the scheme develops and look to secure funding from Scottish Government funding.
Douglas is pleased the council have listened to concerns from his constituents and that he will be continuing to liaise closely with them as plans for improved safety measures develop.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “Constituents have been regularly raising concerns with me over near collisions at the Victoria Roundabout in Forres so I was keen to see what action - if any - the council were taking to address this.
“It is welcome that it is very much on council’s radar and that they are exploring ways in which to make the roads leading up to the roundabout safer for pedestrians and cyclists.
“I don’t want this to become a location where no action is taken until an inevitable serious incident occurred. While I was hoping that they would maybe consider rumble strips or additional signage, consulting on these options designed around making it safer is welcome, positive action, from the council.
“They have clearly listened to my concerns which I raised on behalf of constituents and they responded promptly to me outlining robust measures that will hopefully be in place in the near future.
“I will continue to liaise closely with Moray Council and the local community as the scheme develops so that residents minds are eased in the future and we make this area of the town safer for all.”
