WORK IS TO BEGIN this week on a road repair project prompted by complaints from motorists over a serious accident risk and damage being caused to vehicles.
A £200,000 project will begin in Elgin on the A96 targeting a series of pot-holes that have been the subject of numerous complaints from concerned drivers.
The work will include the roundabout at Tesco in the Moray town, which has a deep gouge in the road surface caused by hundreds of large and heavy goods vehicles taking the sharp turn on a daily basis. The condition of the road had recently been highlighted by local Douglas Ross MP.
In his capacity as a local MSP Mr Ross had contacted Transport Scotland in April and received a response then from the agency’s Roy Brannen, who said: “Bear Scotland has advised that they carried out a number of smaller hand-patch repairs at this roundabout but their regular inspections have noted continued issues with the condition of the road surface.”
Now motorists are being warned that they face a series of overnight closures on the route as the repairs are undertaken, with Bear Scotland’s north east representative Andy Thompson assuring them that the intention is to cause minimum disruption.
He said: “The investment from Transport Scotland will allow us to address the defects in this section of the A96 to create a smooth, improved road surface. We have taken steps to reduce the overall impact of the scheme by carrying out the works overnight – our teams will look to do all they can to complete the works as quickly and safely as possible.”
Motorists are, however, being advised to plan ahead with the closures beginning on Sunday from 7.30pm until 6.30am – work on the road is then expected to continue over six nights. Temporary traffic lights will be put in place at the Dr Gray’s roundabout but the junction will be closed completely on Monday and Tuesday night when diversions will be put in place.
The work is expected to concentrate on the Halfords roundabout on Wednesday while the Tesco junction will be closed on Thursday and Friday nights.