DAILY COMMUTERS ON the A96 between Moray and Inverness are being warned of traffic restrictions as part of the dualling programme from next week.
The route between Nairn and Inverness will see disruption from March 21 that will last for around 20 weeks, with Transport Scotland saying this is required to enable vital ground investigation work to be undertaken.
Most of the work will be carried out off the line of the existing road – however, there will need to be some traffic management involving short lane closures to facilitate work on the carriageway.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “These ground investigations are needed to get vital information on the existing A96 carriageway between Inverness and Nairn as we progress our plans to dual this section of the route.
“We apologise for any inconvenience the works will cause and would thank road users and local communities for their patience over the next few months. The contractor will closely monitor the operation of the traffic management to ensure that delays are kept to a minimum.”
The traffic management arrangements will include relatively short alternate single file traffic sections controlled by temporary traffic signals.
Scottish Labour’s transport spokesman last night expressed his hopes that every effort would be made to reduce disruption. David Stewart MSP said: “Obviously to undertake dualling of this part of the A96 such work will have to be undertaken. That said, I would hope a proper management plan is implemented, bearing in mind we are coming into the busiest tourist period when roads will be busier anyway.
“I hope that restrictions will be kept to a minimum and that as much work as possible will be undertaken during the evening and through the night.”
When planning their journeys road users are encouraged to visit the Traffic Scotland website at www.trafficscotland.org.