Almost 400 people have objected to a new road safety scheme in Buckie.
An online petition has been set up against the creation of traffic lights and a pedestrian crossing at the top end of Buckie’s High Street, near the busy Well Road junction.
Vivien Rumbles, 31, has lived in the town all her life and has slammed the proposed crossing – which would be situated directly outside her home – as unnecessary.
Mrs Rumbles, a former teacher with two young children, has lived on the street for four years, and says she crosses the stretch of road in question on a regular basis.
Mrs Rumbles said: “I go back and forth over that road with a buggy every day, and I have never had any trouble.
“From my standpoint, the pedestrian crossing would be right outside my house – which means I wouldn’t be able to park there, and the value of the property ultimately would drop.
“I don’t see any need for these lights at all, and quite a lot of folk in Buckie are passionately against the plans.
“Moray Council seems intent on spending money for the sake of it, and this proposal appears to have come from someone with no experience of the area.
“I’m hoping the council take residents’ views into account on this.”
Buckie councillor Gordon McDonald stressed that the plans are at an early stage, and said the results of recent public consultations would be considered before any decisions were taken.
He explained: “There was a display in Buckie Library outlining these proposals, and seeking peoples’ views.
“The consultation period has only just ended and findings from that will be collated and handed to councillors, who will vote on whether to approve the development or not.
“The argument is that an increased number of traffic lights along the High Street would help road safety.
“But for now, these lights – which are part of a package of town centre developments – have not been approved.”
