Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Keith’s A96 WILL get Christmas lights in ‘victory for common sense’

Transport Scotland has agreed to make an exception this year after a strong campaign led by Keith Christmas Lights Committee.

Keith Christmas lights
There will be Christmas lights on the A96 through Keith this 2024. Image: Keith Christmas Lights Committee

The A96 through Keith will be lit up this festive season after a dramatic U-turn.

New regulations from Transport Scotland requiring £15,000 specialist contractors to fit Christmas lights above the main road were set to end the 20-year-old tradition.

However, the government agency confirmed an exception will be made – with road operator Amey to install the lights for Keith Christmas Lights Committee as a “one-off special case”.

Keith Christmas lights
The lights will be put up on November 5. Image: Keith Christmas Lights Committee

They’ll be turned on at 5pm on November 30.

A spokesperson for Keith Christmas Lights Committee told The Press and Journal they are “delighted” a solution has been found.

The group added this is “great news” for locals, and the volunteers who worked hard from January to December to put on the display.

The committee will now also aim to find a long-term solution for the continuation of the tradition.

Keith residents and Christmas lights
The voluntary group has described the update as “great news”. Image: Keith Christmas Lights Committee

Callum Stuart, chair of the Christmas Lights Committee, added: “We have got a solution, and we can move on.

“There’s a lot to do and arrange, but the town will be as bonnie as we can make it.”

He added: “As a committee, we want to thank the community for their support.

“We have had invaluable support from all our councillors, MSPs, MPs from across the region and across the political spectrum.

“Their efforts are appreciated, and they have our thanks.

“We will work with Amey on the installation logistics.”

‘A victory for common sense’

Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross said: “This U-turn by Amey is a victory for common sense.

“It was astonishing that they ever thought this was the right decision in the first place.

“It flew in the face of the Christmas spirit, and it is welcome that they have listened to the persuasive arguments from many local people and groups and reversed their initial plan.”

An Amey spokesperson said: “We have been in discussion with the local community and local businesses over a period of time on the issue of festive lighting.

“Guidance exists for the installation of festive lighting on the trunk road network primarily to ensure the safety of all road users, including those erecting decorations and any necessary traffic management associated with this.

“However, following further discussions with Transport Scotland, and in recognition of the unique situation with the temporary traffic restrictions already in place on the A96 at Keith following the slope failure earlier this year, to ensure the safety of road users and the local community, Amey will undertake the installation of the festive lighting this year as a one-off special case.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson added: “Special consideration has been given to the town of Keith that takes into account the traffic management in place at the Union Bridge structure.”

Conversation