The public is being asked to help shape the future of transport in a gridlocked-threatened town.
Moray Council yesterday began a fresh round of consultation on dozens of potential solutions to Elgin’s growing traffic problems.
And officials stressed that although they have already published a blueprint for reducing congestion, residents still have the chance to mould the plans.
It is expected that up to 2,700 extra homes will be built in the town before 2030, bringing with them nearly 1,000 new jobs.
One of the main aims of the £30million proposals from officials to cut the demand on local roads is to attempt to change the way people travel.
Diane Anderson, senior engineer for the council’s transport development team, said: “We are a town within a large rural area – there’s always going to be a demand on private cars.
“What we want to be able to do is encourage people, who are able to, to switch. So for short distances within Elgin we want to encourage them to walk or use their bike.”
Among the ideas being put to the public for comment are new cycle lanes and spaces to park bikes in the town centre.
A long-term vision of the council is to move the bus station onto land currently used by the A96 to encourage more passengers.
Different alternatives are being drawn up depending on whether a new Elgin bypass is built as part of the dualling of the busy trunk route.
Shoppers at the St Giles Centre yesterday agreed change was necessary to stop the town grinding to a halt.
Linkwood resident Ian Williams, 68, said: “It’s good to see the whole town is being looked at. The centre is the worst but it needs joined-up thinking.
“There are lots of housing developments near where I stay and I’m pleased to see that it’s all being taken into account.”
Elgin resident James Moggach said: “I don’t use the busses at the moment because they don’t turn up when they should. If the roads were clearer they would be more reliable and more people would use them.”
The proposals will be finalised by councillors later this year.
The authority is running further drop-in events about the proposals in the St Giles Centre tomorrow from 11am to 2pm, at the old school hall at Bishopmill Primary from 5.30pm to 8.30pm on Monday, January 23 and from 5pm to 8pm at the Cedarwood Day Centre on Thursday, January 26.
Views can also be submitted on the council’s website and Facebook page.
