They waited through Swinging 60s and Cold War. Now, Fochabers gets its bypass – half a century late

WORK began yesterday on bypassing one of the most notorious bottlenecks on Scotland's trunk-road network – 55 years after the route was first proposed.

The 31.5 million bypass, skirting the villages of Fochabers and Mosstodloch in Moray, will cut the amount of traffic passing through the two communities by about 10,000 vehicles a day and end years of misery for drivers on the A96, the main road between Aberdeen and Inverness.

Campaigners claim the new three-mile bypass will result in a major economic boost for local businesses by ending decades of congestion on the main thoroughfare in Fochabers, a conservation area.

The long-awaited groundbreaking ceremony was performed yesterday by transport minister Stewart Stevenson.

He said: "The A96 Fochabers and Mosstodloch road scheme is another example of our continuing investment in Scotland's transport infrastructure.

"This is an essential route in Scotland's trunk-road network, and I'm delighted to personally kick off construction on this vital project.

"When complete, the stretch of new road will improve transport links along the length of this route, help tackle congestion in and around Fochabers and Mosstodloch, as well as bring economic benefits for businesses and communities across the north."

He said the bypass project was only one of a package of improvements being planned for the vital route between the North-east and the Highlands.

Plans were also being made to ease congestion and improve journey times through Elgin, and the Scottish Government was in discussions with Highland Council, reviewing proposals for dualling the A96 between Inverness and Nairn, a Nairn bypass and a link between the A9 and A96 to the east of Inverness.

"The Scottish Government is working tirelessly to deliver improvements across Scotland's trunk-road network, and the start of construction today on this section of the main artery between Aberdeen and Inverness underlines this."

Councillor George McIntyre, the convener of Moray Council, who lives in Fochabers, said: "Everyone in Fochabers and Mosstodloch will share my delight in seeing work finally start on this long-awaited and much-needed bypass project. I have lived in Fochabers for 20 years and for all that time the need for a bypass has been the number one issue for local residents.

"It has been a long time coming, but at last work is under way, and we now look forward to seeing the bypass completed."

Angus Robertson, the SNP MP for Moray, said: "It will be huge boost for both Fochabers and for everyone using the A96."

When complete in spring 2012, the bypass will link the A96 from the west of Mosstodloch, crossing the River Spey and bypassing to the north of Fochabers, before reconnecting with the A96 and A98 to the east of the village.

A cycleway and footpath will also link Fochabers and Mosstodloch and an underpass will allow motorists to gain access to the Baxter's of Speyside complex.