Elgin link road costs referred to full council

Increased cost projections for Elgin’s proposed western link road are to be referred to the full Moray Council for consideration.

The council’s economic development and infrastructure services committee today agreed to recommend that the council’s capital plan should be adjusted to accommodate the rise in costs.

The estimated cost of the project has increased from the £9.2million to £11.8million over the past two years.

Councillors were told that construction and property costs and the preparation of a new planning application following the refusal of the original application had all contributed to the increase.

The design of the scheme has also undergone a number of changes in consultation with objectors to the original application.

Committee chairman Councillor John Cowe, seconded by Councillor George Alexander, moved that the matter be referred to the full council with a recommendation that the capital plan be adjusted to reflect the revised costs.

Councillor Gordon McDonald, seconded by Councillor Gary Coull, moved an amendment that the western link road project should be deferred until more information was available about the Scottish Government’s proposals to dual the A96 trunk road.

The vote was tied at six all, with Councillor Cowe (pictured), using his casting vote in favour of the motion.

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 92,500 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.