THERE are plenty of reasons why a new Tesco supermarket is urgently needed in Aviemore, the latest one to be highlighted is on safety grounds.

The zebra crossing in front of the store has been a big bone of community contention since the Tesco's opened in the village centre more than 10 years ago.

The original road entrance to the supermarket was to be from the opposite site of the store's car park but access issues meant that this never materialised.

The resultant Plan B using Grampian Road causes traffic congestion in the village at peak times, right turns out of the Tesco car park in busy periods are almost impossible and the crossing itself creates uncertainty.

People often loiter on either side, causing confusion in the minds of motorists over whether a pedestrian is going to step out.

In the past week, another person was injured and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence of other casualties and near misses.

Calls for safety improvements fell on deaf ears within Highland Council a short time after the supermarket opened.

The then elected members instead ordered a literature safety campaign - for one day hand-outs were given to people instructing them on how to use the crossing!

It's now too late to do anything about the problem because of plans to open a new Tesco's in the village.

Cash-strapped Highland Council is not going to throw good money after bad. Once the bigger store eventually opens at Myrtlefield, the bulk of the traffic will move further north.

This will relieve some of the current traffic pressure in the centre of Aviemore, but will also move the bottleneck further up Grampian Road.

Road officials need to ensure next time that access to the village's supermarket is easier - and safer - for both pedestrians and traffic.

HIGHLAND Council has made the correct decision in awarding the pre-school care and wrap-round care to the Aviemore Community Children's Group.

The contract has been made on an annual basis, subject to a satisfactory performance, which is common practice by the local authority.

We are confident that the group will flourish in their new home when they move in this August.