Residents of a Moray village are calling for a footpath to be installed at the side of a busy road.
Lorries regularly use the A941 Elgin to Rothes road, which cuts through the middle of Fogwatt.
With no proper footpath, locals are forced to walk along a grass verge to get to bus stops to take them into town. Youngsters also have to go that way to get to their school bus pick-up points.
Now worried residents have asked the Heldon Community Council (HCC) and Moray MP Douglas Ross to investigate the possibility of creating a path.
Willie Duncan, who represents Fogwatt and Birnie on community council, said the group is exploring ways to improve the area.
“Road safety is a priority not only for vehicle drivers but for the public who walk along the grass verge whether that be going to the post box or the bus stops and there are also a number of minor roads which join the A941 in Fogwatt and are proving to be hazardous,” he said.
“Over the years there has been a speed restriction of 50mph provided along with street lights which helps, however one way forward would be the provision of a foot path running the length of Fogwatt and we are currently speaking to a number of partners and organisations to try and make this happen.”
Mr Ross has written to HITRANS and Bear Scotland on concerned residents behalf and was pleased HITRANS responded in a positive way.
He said: “I wrote to HITRANS and Bear Scotland to ask them to look urgently at the current situation, because it is clear from walking along the side of the road myself that having to use a grass verge is putting pedestrians at risk.
“I’m pleased HITRANS have responded in a very constructive way and I hope it will be possible to get everyone round the table to discuss and plan for the construction of a pedestrian path here.”
HITRANS have offered to meet with Moray Council and local representatives to discuss how best to advance plans to install a footpath, although all discussions are in very early stages.