Shock as major road to to pass close to Findhorn Bay

This visualisation was made for Transport Scotland 

Transport Scotland has announced that they plan to build the new A96 dual carriageway right across the countryside between Forres and Findhorn Bay. The new road, which connects Inverness and Aberdeen, passes only 1km from the edge of the Findhorn Bay Nature Reserve. 

This will be a major road, built up to a height of 6-10 metres above the current ground level. It will be visible and audible from the whole area from Findhorn to the North side of Forres. 

The area to the north of Forres is just a few metres above sea level and all groundwater drains straight into Findhorn Bay. At this section, the polluted run-off from the road is planned to be collected in huge ponds next to the Mosset Burn and neighbouring farms. At the recent public exhibition, Transport Scotland's consultants were unable to give assurances about how that polluted water will be treated before it runs into the Mosset Burn and Findhorn Bay. As well as being very fertile land farmed by local families for generations, the area is home to protected and endangered species including skylarks, hares, badgers and bats, and has a peaceful rural character which would be destroyed by the route. 

Many people use the quiet country road for walking, cycling, jogging and riding, and as a route for active travel between Forres, Kinloss and Findhorn. The Government’s own research states that there is not a need for a dual carriageway at Forres, based on traffic volume, however the government maintains a policy to dual the entire route from Inverness to Aberdeen. Only 5% of the traffic on the A96 is travelling the whole route between Inverness and Aberdeen.

This is the single biggest infrastructure project ever to impact Forres. It will change the area permanently. It is crucial that people make their views heard.

PLEASE MAKE YOUR VIEWS KNOWN TO TRANSPORT SCOTLAND AND YOUR LOCAL POLITICIANS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Please let your friends know that this is happening and that now is the last chance to respond. Millions of pounds have been spent already on a consultation phase and yet many people in the area still do not know about the planned route. 

For more information see:

www.transport.gov.scot/publication/preferred-option-public-exhibition-materials-december-2018-hardmuir-to-fochabers-a96-dualling

Most importantly, please write or email Transport Scotland as soon as possible at the following address:

A96 Dualling Team

Transport Scotland

Buchannan House

58 Port Dundas Road

Glasgow G4 0HF

Email: A96dualling@transport.gov.scot

Email your local politicians

It would be well worth sending your message to local politicians too, as some have begun to get involved in the process.

These include:
Your local Members of the Scottish Parliament (click on their name to send a message to them): Richard Lochhead (SNP); Maree Todd (SNP); Donald Cameron (Conservative); Edward Mountain (Conservative), David Stewart (Labour); John Finnie (Green); Jamie Halcro Johnston (Conservative); Rhoda Grant (Labour); 

Your local councillors: Claire Feaver (Conservative); Aaron McLean (SNP); George Alexander (Independent); Lorna Creswell (Independent).

You could also write a letter to the Forres Gazette, and to the Press and Journal.