Elgin Ground Investigations

Date Added - 05/08/09

Ground investigation works will begin next week in preparation for the construction of a new roundabout at the west end of Edgar Road in Elgin.

The investigation works are expected to last around three weeks.

The four-leg roundabout will form part of an extension to Edgar Road and will provide a new access road to Elgin High School where it is hoped that work on major new sports, recreational and arts facilities will get under way next year.

The southern leg will form the new access to the school, while it is also proposed to provide a 'stub' to both the north and west of the roundabout with a view to the creation of a future western distributor road as well as access for possible future housing development.

Two main options are under consideration for a distributor road, which it is envisaged will help to relieve problems of traffic congestion on Elgin's roads network.

One of the options is for a distributor road leaving the A96 and following a route along Wittet Drive, over the Aberdeen-Inverness railway line and joining the proposed new roundabout at its northern stub.

The other is for a more westerly route from the A96 near the Eight Acres Hotel and joining the new roundabout at its western stub.

The appraisal of the options for a western distributor road is still ongoing.

A Moray Council spokesman said: "It should be stressed that these works and the design of the new roundabout will not prejudge the outcome of the options being considered for a western distributor road."