New Forres Academy Development

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New Forres Academy Construction Works

Construction works for the new Forres Academy development began on Monday 22 June 2026, following the completion of the mobilisation works.

Information about the planned construction works, timings, traffic management and access arrangements is provided below.

Tree Works near Orchard Road

Tree works will take place near the footpath round the veteran housing off Orchard Road from Wednesday 14 to Friday 16 October.

The work will be carried out by a specialist local tree surgery contractor and will include:

  • removing an existing tree stump at the junction of the footpath and Orchard Road footpath.
  • removing the existing tree along the western section of the footpath.

Image showing the two locations where the tree works will take place, marked with red crosses

To keep everyone safe, the footpath will be partially closed to pedestrians while the work is carried out.

Once the trees and as much of the root structure as possible have been removed, a civil engineering team will repair the footpath to make it safe for public use. The exact repairs needed cannot be confirmed until the trees and roots have been removed.

Drainage Works – Castle Street and Albert Street

Drainage works linked to the new Forres Academy were paused after unexpected underground utilities were found.

Balfour Beatty has worked with utility companies and specialists to resolve this, and works are now due to restart in Phases 2, 3 and 4, with temporary traffic management, road closures and access restrictions in place.

Updated Site drawing showing planned drainage works

You can view an enlarged image showing the planned drainage works here.


Phase 2 – Castle Street (Blue/Yellow)

From around 21 September for one week.

  • Temporary traffic lights will be in operation at the Albert Street/Castle Street junction.
  • Vehicles will not be able to access Albert Street from Castle Street in either direction.
  • Diversion routes and traffic management signs will be displayed.

Phase 3 – Albert Street (Green)

From around 28 September for two weeks.

  • The green section of Albert Street will be closed, with access to individual driveways restricted.
  • Access to Cicely Place will be via Albert Street from Orchard Road.

Phase 4 – Albert Street (Purple)

From around 12 October for two weeks.

  • The purple section of Albert Street will be closed, with access to individual driveways restricted.
  • Access to Cicely Place will be via Albert Street from Castle Street, and there will be no vehicle access to the tennis club during this phase.

Parking and access restrictions

  • During Phases 3 and 4, parking will not be permitted on the section of Albert Street shown in orange on the map.
  • There will also be no through route between Albert Street and Castle Street. These access restrictions will remain in place until the work is completed.

Balfour Beatty’s site team will contact affected residents and property owners directly with more detailed information as the works progress. Support can be provided where required, including assistance with putting out bins and ensuring access for emergency vehicles.

New Bus Layby Entrance Works and Pedestrian Route Changes

Works to construct the new bus layby entrance off Burdsyard Road are now complete.

To allow construction activities to continue and the establishment of the contractor’s compound the existing footpath and cycleway adjacent to Sanquhar Road, shown in red on the map, is now closed and fenced off.

The new footpath on the west side of Roysvale Park, shown in blue on the map, provides an accessible connection between Burdsyard Road and the existing core path adjacent to Applegrove Primary School. Details of the path closure, diversion route and key dates are now displayed.

This route is expected to remain closed until completion of Phase 1 of the new Forres Academy development, currently anticipated in Autumn 2028, when it will reopen for public use.

Site drawing showing new bus layby entrance works and pedestrian route changes

You can view an enlarged image showing the works here.

A printed copy, including full details and drawings of the planned mobilisation and construction works, is available for viewing at Forres Community Centre.

The safety of pupils, staff, residents and the wider community remain the priority throughout these works. Construction areas will be securely fenced at all times, with clear separation maintained between school operations and site activities.

Balfour Beatty and Moray Council are working closely to minimise disruption to residents and the wider community during this period. Should any issues or concerns arise during the works, residents can contact the Balfour Beatty team directly at ForresAcademyBB@balfourbeatty.com and a member of the project team will aim to assist where possible.

Further updates will be provided as the project progresses.

New Forres Academy Construction Works

Construction works for the new Forres Academy development began on Monday 22 June 2026, following the completion of the mobilisation works.

Information about the planned construction works, timings, traffic management and access arrangements is provided below.

Tree Works near Orchard Road

Tree works will take place near the footpath round the veteran housing off Orchard Road from Wednesday 14 to Friday 16 October.

The work will be carried out by a specialist local tree surgery contractor and will include:

  • removing an existing tree stump at the junction of the footpath and Orchard Road footpath.
  • removing the existing tree along the western section of the footpath.

Image showing the two locations where the tree works will take place, marked with red crosses

To keep everyone safe, the footpath will be partially closed to pedestrians while the work is carried out.

Once the trees and as much of the root structure as possible have been removed, a civil engineering team will repair the footpath to make it safe for public use. The exact repairs needed cannot be confirmed until the trees and roots have been removed.

Drainage Works – Castle Street and Albert Street

Drainage works linked to the new Forres Academy were paused after unexpected underground utilities were found.

Balfour Beatty has worked with utility companies and specialists to resolve this, and works are now due to restart in Phases 2, 3 and 4, with temporary traffic management, road closures and access restrictions in place.

Updated Site drawing showing planned drainage works

You can view an enlarged image showing the planned drainage works here.


Phase 2 – Castle Street (Blue/Yellow)

From around 21 September for one week.

  • Temporary traffic lights will be in operation at the Albert Street/Castle Street junction.
  • Vehicles will not be able to access Albert Street from Castle Street in either direction.
  • Diversion routes and traffic management signs will be displayed.

Phase 3 – Albert Street (Green)

From around 28 September for two weeks.

  • The green section of Albert Street will be closed, with access to individual driveways restricted.
  • Access to Cicely Place will be via Albert Street from Orchard Road.

Phase 4 – Albert Street (Purple)

From around 12 October for two weeks.

  • The purple section of Albert Street will be closed, with access to individual driveways restricted.
  • Access to Cicely Place will be via Albert Street from Castle Street, and there will be no vehicle access to the tennis club during this phase.

Parking and access restrictions

  • During Phases 3 and 4, parking will not be permitted on the section of Albert Street shown in orange on the map.
  • There will also be no through route between Albert Street and Castle Street. These access restrictions will remain in place until the work is completed.

Balfour Beatty’s site team will contact affected residents and property owners directly with more detailed information as the works progress. Support can be provided where required, including assistance with putting out bins and ensuring access for emergency vehicles.

New Bus Layby Entrance Works and Pedestrian Route Changes

Works to construct the new bus layby entrance off Burdsyard Road are now complete.

To allow construction activities to continue and the establishment of the contractor’s compound the existing footpath and cycleway adjacent to Sanquhar Road, shown in red on the map, is now closed and fenced off.

The new footpath on the west side of Roysvale Park, shown in blue on the map, provides an accessible connection between Burdsyard Road and the existing core path adjacent to Applegrove Primary School. Details of the path closure, diversion route and key dates are now displayed.

This route is expected to remain closed until completion of Phase 1 of the new Forres Academy development, currently anticipated in Autumn 2028, when it will reopen for public use.

Site drawing showing new bus layby entrance works and pedestrian route changes

You can view an enlarged image showing the works here.

A printed copy, including full details and drawings of the planned mobilisation and construction works, is available for viewing at Forres Community Centre.

The safety of pupils, staff, residents and the wider community remain the priority throughout these works. Construction areas will be securely fenced at all times, with clear separation maintained between school operations and site activities.

Balfour Beatty and Moray Council are working closely to minimise disruption to residents and the wider community during this period. Should any issues or concerns arise during the works, residents can contact the Balfour Beatty team directly at ForresAcademyBB@balfourbeatty.com and a member of the project team will aim to assist where possible.

Further updates will be provided as the project progresses.

Page last updated: 05 Oct 2026, 11:26 AM