A96 Christmas lights will go up in town after all
Road bosses have agreed to install this year’s Christmas Lights for free to compensate Keith for its ongoing traffic problems.
In previous years volunteers have put up decorations along the length of the A96 as it runs through town, then taken them down at the end of the festive season.
But new rules introduced by Transport Scotland, which is in charge of the route, now insist that only approved electricians can do the work.
In Keith’s case the fee would have been £15,000.
Unable to afford this, the Keith Christmas Lights Committee stated it would have to scale back the town’s festive decorations.
However, Amey, which is the local subcontractor for Transport Scotland, has now agreed to arrange for the work to be done for free.
Callum Stuart, chairman of the lights committee, confirmed that Amey had waived the fee.
He said: “We spoke with Billie Gordon, Engagement Manager for Amey, who explained that, due to the ongoing temporary traffic lights in Keith because of the landslip earlier this year, and to safeguard road users and the community, they will install the lights on the A96 this year as a one-off special case.
“This is great news for the people of Keith, and the volunteers who work hard from January to December to put on the display.”
“It also gives us time to find an appropriate solution that will allow us to install lights in 2025 and beyond in a cost-effective manner, while still maintaining safety standards as we have for the past 20 or so years.
“There’s a lot to do and arrange, but the town will be as bonnie as we can make it.
“As a committee, we want to thank the community for their support, as well as all our councillors, MSPs, MPs from across the region and across the political spectrum.”
The volunteers will be installing fittings away from the A96 in Reidhaven Square, Regent Square, Banff Road and Mid Street, with the lights being turned on at 5pm on Saturday, November 30, alongside a visit from Santa and a tractor run.
Callum added: “We look forward to seeing people join us for our celebrations.”
The news of Amey’s intervention has been widely welcomed.
Keith councillor Theresa Coull said: “The volunteers work all year round to make the town an amazing place to be at Christmas and I am really pleased a solution has been found.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross said a “common sense” solution has been found.
He added: “It was astonishing that they ever thought this was the right decision in the first place because it flew in the face of the Christmas spirit. But they have listened to the persuasive arguments from many local people and groups and reversed their initial plan.
“Everyone involved deserves credit for continuing to look at how lights could be installed on the A96 and it is great that this will now happen in the coming weeks.
“Residents and businesses in Keith have already been impacted by the ongoing disruption with works at the Union Bridge and this was the last thing they needed to hear.
Mr Ross added: “Amey and Transport Scotland have said this is a special case, but they should explore every option to avoid this situation from being repeated again.”
Meanwhile, Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said: “It was a pleasure to support the community with this issue kudos to Keith Christmas Lights Committee for their hard work in securing this for the town.
“While this is good news for Keith, I’m aware that Aberlour and Craigellachie are also seeking support. This is something I am continuing to pursue on their behalf.”
