A year in progress: reflections from the first year of Moray’s Active Travel Strategy
Moray Council has made good progress in the first year of its five-year Active Travel Strategy (2022-2027).
The plan sets out how the council promotes more non-motorised travel for residents and visitors, like walking and cycling.
Members of the Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee today (Tuesday 14 November) noted 23 schemes were developed in the last 12 months.
Among other projects, pedestrian crossings were installed in Elgin, at Thornhill Road and Morriston Road; a cycle track and footpath now link Applegrove Primary and Forres Academy with residential housing schemes; new footpaths were created at Forsyth Street in Hopeman, Bishopmill Primary School, and Roseisle Hall; preparatory works were done for a footpath at Main Road in Rafford; the footpath was widened on the east end of Elgin High Street; cycle parking is being installed at Keith and Buckie; and the NCN1 Garmouth to Spey Viaduct road was resurfaced.
Other projects included bike festivals in Elgin, Forres, and Aberlour; introducing more, staff pool bikes and a cycle shelter at Moray Council HQ; and the expansion of an active travel hub in Elgin’s Cooper Park.
Elected members also approved the use of a prioritisation tool to provide a clear process for identifying which active travel projects are prioritised for investigation, design and construction.
Chair of Moray Council’s Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Marc Macrae, said: “I welcome this progress and look forward to more schemes coming to fruition through this ambitious plan. There is a clear desire in Moray for a shift to more sustainable ways to travel that also deliver environmental benefits and make our neighbourhoods better places to live.”
The public can email activetravel@moray.gov.uk to discuss their ideas for Active Travel schemes with officers.
The full Active Travel Strategy for Moray 2022-2027 can be found online here.