Works start Wednesday 16 June for four nights

The A96 between Keith and Fochabers is set to benefit from surfacing improvements worth £175,000 with work set to get underway next week.

The improvements will address defects in the road surface creating a safer and smoother road surface for motorists.

The overnight project is scheduled to start on Wednesday 16 June and will take place over four nights between 7.30pm and 6.30am with work due to be completed by 6.30am on Tuesday 22 June. No works will take place on Friday and Saturday night.

To ensure the safety of roadworkers and motorists, a 10mph convoy system will be in place during overnight working hours. All traffic management will be removed during the daytime.

Consultation has taken place with all relevant stakeholders in advance of the surfacing improvements to make them aware of the traffic management arrangements.

Strict physical distancing protocols, in line with Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance, will be in place to ensure all site personnel remain safe once the project gets underway.

Commenting on the improvements, Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s North East Representative, said: “This £175,000 investment from Transport Scotland will greatly improve and strengthen this section of the A96, as well as create a smoother and safer journey for motorists.

“The traffic management is essential for everyone’s safety however we’ve taken steps to minimise disruption for motorists as much as possible during the improvements, including carrying out the works overnight and removing all traffic management during the daytime to further limit any impact to motorists.

“We thank motorists for their patience in advance while our teams carry out these essential improvements on the A96. We encourage road users to plan their journeys in advance by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up to date traffic information and allow some extra time to reach their destination.”

Real-time journey planning information can be obtained by visiting www.trafficscotland.org, twitter at @trafficscotland or via the new mobile site my.trafficscotland.org.

Materials removed from the existing carriageway will be recycled adopting Scottish Environment Project Agency (SEPA) approved construction methods and disposal of waste materials to the approved standards.