Laich of Moray Active Travel Routes

13/04/2026

Near Misses

In a recent post, we explained what we mean by a near miss and why people are encouraged to report them. This update shares some of the situations people have experienced while using the route.

Over the past few weeks, members of the public have reported near misses involving cyclists and motor vehicles, including:

⚠️ Vehicles passing people cycling when space was limited, including at higher speeds.
⚠️ Overtakes where very little space was available, sometimes alongside oncoming traffic.
⚠️ Vehicles pulling out or manoeuvring without noticing someone approaching.
⚠️ A family cycling together, including young children, being passed closely on the B9040.

These experiences were reported in daylight and generally good conditions, on a route used daily by people travelling to work, school and leisure.

🟢 Everyone using our roads wants to get where they’re going safely.

👉 If you’ve experienced or witnessed a near miss on this route, we’d really value hearing from you.

Every report helps build a clearer picture and supports conversations about how the route can work better for everyone.

https://tr.ee/l1LCloy9C9

30/03/2026

What is a near miss?

We collect near‑miss data for the B9040 to help show just how unsafe this route can be for people walking, wheeling, cycling, riding and driving between Lossiemouth and Hopeman.

But what is a near miss?

Examples include:

• A close pass by a motor vehicle
• A driver misjudging an overtake
• Someone exiting a junction without looking properly
• A vulnerable road user not being visible enough
• Two vehicles almost colliding
• Any moment where you thought: “That was too close.”

If it made you flinch, brake suddenly, step aside, shout a warning, or feel unsafe it counts.

Why do near misses matter?

They matter because these reports help us to:

🔸 Build a clearer picture of how dangerous this road can be
🔸 Highlight recurring problem areas
🔸 Identify patterns linked to weather, visibility or traffic

Every report helps validate the real‑life need for a safer alternative.

If you’ve seen or experienced a near miss, please let us know (anonymously if you prefer):

https://tr.ee/-j8d1UP9JZ

Every submission helps demonstrate why our active travel route is so urgently needed, for families, for commuters, for visitors, and for anyone who uses the B9040.

25/03/2026

As we head toward the Easter holidays and hopefully brighter evenings and better weather, more of us will be out and about walking, wheeling and cycling between Lossiemouth and Hopeman.

Unfortunately, the lack of a safe, accessible path between Lossiemouth, Silversands and beyond continues to force people onto the road. We’re seeing parents with buggies, people walking dogs, and everyday cyclists having no option but to use a 60mph road that simply wasn’t designed for this mix of traffic.

This isn’t safe for anyone.

It’s stressful for walkers and wheelers, and it’s challenging and frustrating for drivers who want to pass safely but often can’t due to the narrow, winding nature of the route.

An active travel path would make this journey easier, safer and more enjoyable for the whole community, locals, visitors, families, and those who rely on active travel for their everyday journeys.

Our vision is simple:

🌟 A safe off‑road link
🌟 Accessible for all abilities
🌟 Connecting people, communities and destinations
🌟 Encouraging healthy, low‑carbon travel

You can find out more about the project here:
🔗 https://www.lomatr.org.uk

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Lighthouse Links. Together we can make this vital route safer for everyone.

17/03/2026

Behind the scenes

Ever wondered what actually happens behind the scenes as we work towards the Laich of Moray Active Travel Route? Here’s a little peek into the teamwork, planning, and passion that goes into connecting our coastal communities.

🗂️ Meetings That Matter

Our trustees and volunteers regularly meet to discuss the next steps toward creating a safe and accessible active travel route between Lossiemouth and Hopeman. These meetings are where ideas become plans, and plans become progress.

🗺️ Planning the Route

From mapping out the route to reviewing feedback from residents, every decision is made with the community in mind. We look at safety, accessibility, environmental impact, and how the route can best serve the people who will use it.

🤝 Working With the Community

Much of our work involves listening and engaging with walkers, wheelers, cyclists, families, landowners, and local groups. Their voices help shape the project and make sure we’re building something meaningful for everyone.

💡 Why We’re Sharing This

LoMATR isn’t just a project, it’s a community effort. By showing you what happens behind the scenes, we hope you’ll feel even more connected to the journey. Every meeting, discussion, and sketch on paper is one step closer to making the Active Travel Route a reality.

Member of a local group or society? Would you like us to come and share our project with your group - please let us know!

Get involved and find out more about our project on the link:

https://linktr.ee/lomatr

24/02/2026

We’ve launched our manifesto for Scotland ahead of May’s election.

Our message is simple. Make cycling the easy choice 🚲

Scotland deserves a transport system where everyone can safely walk, wheel or cycle for everyday journeys, whether that’s in our towns, cities or countryside. Cleaner air. Safer roads. Connected communities.

We’re calling on the next Scottish Government to invest in active travel, make roads safer for everyone, support more children to cycle, improve access to green spaces and deliver real transport choice across the country.

Take a look at what we’re proposing and see how you can help make it happen 👇

https://www.cyclinguk.org/campaigns/elections-2026/scotland

23/02/2026

Why our communities need a safe route.

Between Hopeman and Lossiemouth, people currently have no safe way to walk, cycle or wheel.

The map below shows the proposed Active Travel Route, highlighting where a safe, accessible connection between our communities could finally be created.

Many are forced onto the narrow verge of the national speed limit B9040 road, putting users at real risk.

A dedicated Active Travel Route would provide a safe, accessible link between our coastal communities.

This isn’t just about convenience, it’s about improving safety, accessibility and wellbeing, and finally giving our communities the safe connection they deserve.

Find out more about our project here: https://linktr.ee/lomatr

💬 Would you or someone in your family use a safe route? Please let us know in the comments.

17/02/2026

A safe route for everyone.

Right now, people walking, cycling or wheeling between Hopeman, Covesea and Lossiemouth have no safe route. Sadly, the Moray Coastal Path is unsuitable for most users.

We are working to create a dedicated Active Travel Route so everyone can travel safely, including school pupils, families, visitors and people heading to essential services.

We’re looking for new members and supporters to help move the project into its next phase.

No experience is needed — just a belief that safe travel should be possible for everyone.

We would love for you to join us. To find out more, please comment below or email us at [email protected].

👉 Take the first step today, become a LoMATR member and help us build a safer future for our coastal communities.

31/07/2025

400 cyclists took part in a mass community ride to call for safer travel options for cyclists and wheelers.

Can you imagine what 400 cyclists would look like along the B9040

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BNKYTG3RQ/

🚲 400 cyclists, 3 miles, 25 years of waiting...

Last summer, 400 people from toddlers to 90-year-olds joined a mass ride through Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, calling for a safe cycle route to nearby Thame.

Organised by Haddswac the ride had a fantastic spirit. Families took part, as did councillors and parliamentary candidates – all united by a simple goal: a greenway along the A418. That short stretch of road is currently challenging to cycle. But after 25 years of campaigning, local people are still pushing for change. Even actor Bruce Alexander came out to show his support.

👉 It was a joyful, powerful show of community and proof that the demand for safe cycling infrastructure is stronger than ever. Read the full story at cyclinguk.org/pedal-pushing

27/07/2025

Moray Council are asking for public opinion on traffic changes in Elgin.

The funding for these proposed traffic changes comes from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund (ie not from the Council's budget) and can only be used for projects like this, so let's make sure the money is put to best use and makes life safer for pedestrians, cyclists and disabled visitors to the town centre.

Full details here: https://newsroom.moray.gov.uk/news/opinions-needed-on-proposed-traffic-changes-in-elgin-town-centre

Have your say here: http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_162708.html

Or go along to public consultation meeting on Wed 30 July between 3pm and 7pm at the Williamson Hall on Duff Avenue.

If approved, the work could start in Spring 2026 and be completed by 2027.