Two local politicians have welcomed the decision of Moray Council to restore a scheduled bus service to the Forbeshill area of Forres. The council is proposing to run five return services per day using an electric bus. The new service will link Forbeshill to Forres town centre and to the Forres health centre. The commercial service, run by Stagecoach, was withdrawn in May 2017.
Jamie Halcro Johnston, Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: “This is very good news indeed. When I conducted my street surgery in Forbeshill earlier this year it was the number one issue raised by residents and I took the matter up directly with senior officials at Moray Council.
“The loss of the Forbeshill route had left residents, particularly many elderly people, feeling isolated. They had used the service to meet friends in town, or to pop on the bus for an appointment at the doctors, but suddenly found that they were having to make special arrangements. The result was that too many people were being left stranded in their homes.
“I very much hope that they will feel that they have been listened to and that the representations made by me and others have finally paid off.”
Councillor Claire Feaver (Conservative – Forres) said: “Ever since I was elected I have been receiving feedback from residents very concerned that less mobile members of the community had been cut off from the town centre and other local facilities, particularly the health centre.
“The roads in Forbeshill are steep and many of the houses are a long way from the nearest bus stop at the bottom of the hill. That made it completely impractical for some people to access public transport, particularly in wintry weather.”
The two elected representatives also welcomed improvements proposed for the route between Forres and Aberlour.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “The introduction of an off-peak service between Forres and the communities along the Spey is to be greatly welcomed.
“Hopefully it should provide greater opportunities for people to access their local shops and services and will be good news for all the high streets concerned.”
It is proposed to offer an off peak return journey to Aberlour from Forres, leaving Forres at 1110 and Aberlour at 1420.
Councillor Feaver added: “I am very pleased that the new services will be provided by an electric vehicle. It is encouraging that the council, despite all the financial constraints, is making every attempt to burnish its green credentials.”
