SNP MSP & Councillor Welcome Bypass Progress

Moray’s MSP Richard Lochhead and SNP Councillor for Banff & District Ian Gray, have welcomed the opening of the first section of the Fochabers Bypass between Cowfords and Coul Brae.

The section was opened by the SNP Government’s Minister for Housing & Transport, Keith Brown MSP.

Commenting, Richard Lochhead MSP said:

Richard Lochhead MSP with then Transport Minister
Stewart Stevenson MSP at Mosstodloch

“I am delighted that the Fochabers and Mosstodloch Bypass is making excellent progress towards completion and the opening today of the section bypassing Mosstodloch is an especially major milestone.

“In total the investment is over 30 million pounds over a 5 kilometre stretch, which is already demonstrating its value with a big emphasis on improved safety.

“The workforce on the project at all levels are really pushing on with it and the full completion is well on target for early 2012 – now less than 6 months away.

Banff & District SNP councillor Ian Gray said:

“The opening of this first section is great news for communities in this part of Banffshire. The route past Mosstodloch in particular brings a major improvement in road safety.

“For people in this area, the improved journey times that this will mean to Elgin and Inverness make this project almost as important as the Aberdeen Bypass as many people here look towards Elgin for services such as the NHS rather than Aberdeen.

“I’m delighted at the progress made so far and look forward to the completion of the Fochabers bypass.”