Campaigners in a Moray town have ramped up their efforts to ensure plans to dual the A96 from Inverness to Aberdeen do not leave Moray’s economy in tatters.
The Forres A96 Dualling Action Group says some suggested routes for the project could cripple Moray’s income by bypassing its main towns.
Transport Scotland maintains that design work is far from finalised, and several route options are under consideration.
But members of the Moray initiative fear some proposals the body has researched could entirely avoid Forres and Elgin, and they say those early schemes have not been sufficiently broadcast to the communities they might impact.
With that in mind, campaigners will stage a coffee morning today at Rafford Village Hall, from 10am to noon, where they intend to highlight those possibilities.
Group chairman, Brian Higgs, said: “We know that no specific route has been decided, but people need to be aware of the risks some could pose.
“We have enlarged maps clearly outlining some of the plans under consideration. We really want people to think about the consequences if a route bypassing Elgin and Forres was to go ahead.
“Our biggest concern is a direct route that effectively bypasses Moray and is all about linking Aberdeen and Inverness.
“We just want to make sure these factors are carefully considered.”
In October, Transport Scotland published a contract worth up to £50million for a 29-mile stretch from just east of Auldearn to east of Fochabers.
The Forres A96 Dualling Action Group formed shortly thereafter, aiming to make sure the area’s interests were protected.
Last night, Transport Scotland stressed that consultation meetings would be held on every phase of the project.
A spokesman said: “Consultation on these projects takes place over a number of phases as they develop.
“We consulted widely on our initial plans in November 2013, and again last May and will continue to do so.
“We are currently procuring design consultants for the western section of the route covering around 29 miles from east of Auldearn to east of Fochabers.”
It is expected the contract for the work will be awarded within months, and assessments will be made on which route options to pursue.
The Scottish Government has given a commitment to complete the scheme by 2030.
