Elgin and Keith – ‘Disheartening’ delay in guaranteeing A96 will bypass towns
Moray’s Liberal Democrats have called it “disheartening” that no guarantee has yet been given that either Elgin or Keith will get a bypass.
The Scottish Government has refused to immediately commit to building the bypasses as part of its planned improvements to the A96, which runs between Inverness and Aberdeen.
At one point during a debate at Holyrood on Thursday, Fiona Hyslop, the Transport Secretary, was specifically asked about Keith and Elgin.
In reply, she stated that the Scottish Government would "have to wait" for a public consultation before any commitment could be made.
However, she added: "I would be very surprised if the bypassing of Elgin and Keith did not come back as a priority from the consultation."
Speaking today, Neil Alexander, the local Moray Lib Dem leader, expressed his disappointment at the delay.
He said: “I have been campaigning for the Scottish Government to build bypasses in Nairn and Elgin for years now, so to again hear that the SNP are delaying before committing to building the bypass is really disheartening.
“People’s lives are at risk on our roads every day. Scottish Liberal Democrats are calling for a detailed roadmap of when both the Elgin and Keith bypasses will be completed, including Nairn as well.
“The Elgin bypass is part of works that have been promised since the SNP took power in Holyrood in 2007.”
