Nairn by-pass NOW

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Lib Dems launch campaign for Nairn by-pass date

The Highland Liberal Democrats will tomorrow (Saturday) launch a campaign to secure a date for the Nairn by-pass to go ahead. Local MP Danny Alexander, Nairn Lib Dem councillor Graham Marsden and a team of volunteers will distribute campaign stickers to every home in Nairn, and launch a new interactive website – www.nairnbypass.co.uk – to develop the case.

The by-pass, which was included in December’s Strategic Transport Projects Review, will take the busy A96 out of central Nairn, cutting congestion and helping to resolve serious concerns about traffic speed in the outskirts of the town. Although the project was included, it is not yet known when it will receive funding between 2012 and 2032.

Commenting ahead of the launch, Danny Alexander said:

“People in Nairn welcomed the fact that the by-pass they have waited many years for was included in the recent transport projects review.

“It is increasingly clear that inclusion in that document alone is by no means a guarantee of seeing action in the near future. Apart from the new Forth Crossing, the Government’s priorities seem still to be largely up in the air.

“That is a concern for many people in the Highlands, but we need to keep up the pressure and turn it into an opportunity.”

Nairn councillor Graham Marsden added:

“We need to make the case that safety concerns, congestion and the impact on Nairn’s economy will not get any better. The scale of development plans for the town make it even more important that there is clarity about the timescale for putting key infrastructure in place.

“If we don’t want to wait until 2032 to see funding, the message must be clear that Nairn needs a by-pass now.”

Reporters and photographers are invited to attend at the Old Library Car Park in central Nairn (opposite the new community centre) at 10:30am on Saturday.

ENDS