After being contacted by concerned constituents and frequent users of the A96 Inverness-Aberdeen trunk route, Moray MP, Douglas Ross, wrote again to the Chief Executive of Transport Scotland, highlighting a number of incidents at the Fochabers East roundabout and calling for clarification of the correct lanes to be used and a need for better signage. Transport Scotland noted that recent incidents mainly involved traffic entering from the A98 and have agreed to liaise with Moray Council about the possibility of installing appropriate lane destinations on this approach road.
Commenting Douglas Ross MP said:
“The issue of road safety where the A98 meets the A96 at the Fochabers East roundabout is one which I have raised on a number of occasions with Transport Scotland, both as an MSP and now as MP for Moray.
“Local residents and regular commuters have contacted me following a number of incidents and near misses at this roundabout and whilst to date they have only been minor bumps with damage to vehicles and fortunately no serious injury, it should not take a serious accident to highlight the need for better and more visible signage at this roundabout.
“I welcome, finally, the clarification in writing from Transport Scotland, that the correct lane for all vehicles travelling from the A98 and wishing to either enter Fochabers or head West along the A96 is the right hand lane, lane two. Many vehicles are using lane one to drive round the roundabout to enter Fochabers or indeed travel towards Elgin, cutting off motorists as they do so.
“Although I’m disappointed that Transport Scotland do not see the need to install any additional road markings at this location I do welcome their commitment to liaise directly with Moray Council to see if appropriate lane destination signage can be installed on the A98 approach to this roundabout.
“I will continue to monitor this situation and work with colleagues locally to pressure for such works to be done to ensure the safety of all road users.”
Local Councillor for Fochabers-Lhanbryde Marc Macrae commented –
“This is an issue I am well aware of as a regular traveller along the A98 to Buckie, witnessing and at times experiencing near misses on far too many occasions.
“In the last few years clarification has been sought from both Transport Scotland and Police Scotland with at times differing answers coming from different officials.
“With this firm clarification in writing from the Chief Executive of Transport Scotland, which I very much welcome, I will work alongside Douglas to ensure this matter is raised promptly with council officials and to strive to make our roads as safe as they can be for all road users.”