David Mackay

1 month ago | pressandjournal.co.uk | David Mackay

If you have been driving the A96 between Nairn and Inverness in the last few months you can’t fail to have noticed the massive construction project at Delnies. You know the one, the one where you’ve most likely been stuck at the temporary traffic lights at some point. Huge amounts of earth have already been moved to make way for a housing site that will encompass hundreds of homes, shops and a new primary school.

1 month ago | pressandjournal.co.uk | David Mackay

C and R Taxis slashed their Elgin taxi fleet from 22 cars to only six vehicles during Covid just to survive the pandemic. Despite the pain of going through the ordeal, it was enough to give the new owner of the business an idea of how he wanted to run it – with a small, nimble and agile feet. At the time, long-time taxi driver John Milne had only been at the head of the company for barely a year, although he had been manager since 2017.

1 month ago | pressandjournal.co.uk | David Mackay

Can you believe it’s time for Planning Ahead again already? It’s our weekly round-up of all the planning news in Elgin, Buckie, Forres and right across Moray. As always, there’s quite a lot to get through this week so I’m not going to hang about. This month the Press and Journal covered concerns raised by residents south of Elgin about a quarry that has been proposed in their rural community. Now it can be revealed that more than 250 objections have already been submitted about the plans.

1 month ago | pressandjournal.co.uk | David Mackay

Not all of the police ready to respond to anti-social behaviour in Elgin are paid. The pay range for constables may start at £31,400, but some officers on the beat do it for entirely nothing. Special constables wear the same uniform as their colleagues, undertake some of the same duties, including patrolling the streets, and also has the power to arrest someone. Figures show there were about 380 of the volunteer officers across Scotland last year.

1 month ago | pressandjournal.co.uk | David Mackay

Neighbourhood foot patrols are being stepped up by Moray Council in an attempt to stamp out anti-social behaviour from housing estates. Until recently the local authority had just two community wardens responsible for fly-tipping, noise complaints, neighbour disputes, littering and countless other things. Now, following a recruitment drive since late last year, the team is five-strong and ready to take a more proactive approach.