Labour to restore lollipop crossings

Lollipop crossings could be restored permanently at Moray’s most dangerous crossings, if voters put Labour in control of the authority.

The party’s Moray candidates have published their manifesto – “a better council for a stronger, fairer recovery in Moray” –with polling day on Thursday.

Five candidates have been put forward.

Labour will seek to immediately restore lollipop crossings on an interim basis to all sites not currently served by a pelican crossing, and on a permanent basis at the most dangerous crossings.

In 2019, the local authority became the first in Scotland to scrap lollipop men and women, saving £120,000 at a time when it faced serious financial problems.

The move sparked fury, with posters being put up accusing council officials of “gambling with children’s lives”.

Meanwhile, Labour is proposing a scheme to encourage local people to train as teachers without having to leave Moray.

It would also ensure the education side of the council is properly resourced in order to advertise jobs in a timely manner and maintain an up-to-date supply teacher list.

Labour will seek to reopen public toilets across the region.

The party wants to diversify Moray’s cultural offering and evaluate the council’s existing estate to identify suitable spaces where young artists and musicians can develop.

Labour has set a target of 1,200 houses for social rent in the region for the next five years.

The party proposes that the council works with NatureScot to develop a Moray-wide seabird plan.

As well as seeking to control nesting in urban areas through targeted nest control, it plans public education and installation of seagull-proof bins.

It is hoped the strategy will enhance natural nesting sites so gulls have alternative breeding spaces rather than residential rooftops.

Labour has promised to fight to retain the authority’s public sector provision of care services.

It will support non-profit organisations and worker co-operatives in bidding for National Care Service contracts.

There is also a pledge to continue support for Moray Alcohol and Drug Partnership, and developing a local drug and alcohol policy.

The party will work with NHS Grampian to explore creative ways of solving the current recruitment crisis and secure Dr Gray’s status as a thriving hospital as well as investment into mental health services.

Labour vows to campaign for investment in public transport, including regulation of buses and increased rail services between Inverness and Aberdeen.

It will push for the establishment of a zero-emission local bus service run by the council.

The party is also supporting the A96 Inverness to Aberdeen dualling project.

Moray Council’s Labour leader, John Divers, is eager to see more colleagues elected in the upcoming election to reverse Moray’s decline.

Mr Divers said: “Over the last five years it has been challenging being the only Labour councillor in Moray and it’s great to see four other Labour candidates standing for election across the area.

“This year, Labour in Moray is running our largest slate of candidates in almost 20 years, with a mixture of experience and new ideas.

“If elected, it is our intention to use the influence of our larger group of councillors to reverse the decline we have seen in recent years.”

GROWING AMBITION: John Divers, left, hopes to be joined by Sandy Keith and other Labour candidates in Moray.