Moray politicians have labelled Transport Scotland “bah humbug” and have requested an urgent meeting over its decision to stop a community from installing Christmas lights on the A96.
Transport Scotland’s new regulations mean the Keith Christmas Lights group have been stopped from putting up festive displays along the town’s A96, including at Union Bridge.
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The group say regulations now require festive fixtures to be installed by a specialist ‘HERS’ contractor, of which there are only three accredited in Scotland at a cost of £15,000.
The lights have been a focal point of Keith’s Christmas celebrations on Mid Street, Reidhaven Square, Regent Square, the bandstand, Seafield Park and Banff Road.
But the absence of lights on the main trunk road through the town coincides with fears that Keith is “dying on its feet” after a river bank and retaining wall fell into the River Isla at Union Bridge on the A96 in July.
Temporary traffic lights, installed by Amey, have remained in place ever since, causing huge tailbacks through the town, with the road operator stating that repairing the damage would be a “complex and difficult” task.
Local Scottish Conservative MSP Tim Eagle said: “This is an outrageous decision from Transport Scotland, at a time when Keith and its businesses have been hammered by the continued traffic disruption at Union Bridge.
“That is why both Kathleen Robertson and I have requested a meeting with Transport Scotland to urge them to reverse this measure ahead of Christmas.
“It’s a ‘bah humbug’ move by the Scottish Government to implement this ridiculous regulation when we should be building community spirit, not flattening it.
“I imagine there are several highly qualified electricians in Keith who would be able to do this perfectly safely to bring Christmas joy to the town.
“Lights have been put up on the A96 through the middle of the town for several years by Keith Christmas Lights Group and I commend their continued work for the benefit of the community.”
Group leader of the Moray Conservatives, Councillor Kathleen Robertson, added: “It’s extremely disappointing that Transport Scotland is denying Keith their full Christmas lights display.
“For years, these lights have been a staple of Christmas in Keith but instead of sorting out its own failings with Union Bridge, Transport Scotland would rather punish residents who want to bring festive cheer to the town.
“Both myself and Tim Eagle MSP hope to meet Transport Scotland to highlight the outrage this has caused in the community and I would also support a petition to show strength in numbers.
“I commend the work of Keith Christmas Lights Group and the community council who help to keep this wonderful tradition within the town.”
