Increased costs approved for link road

Increased costs for Elgin’s proposed western link road have been approved by Moray councillors.

They today decided on a split vote to adjust the council’s financial capital plan to take account of the rise in costs.

Approval of the increased costs had been recommended by the council’s economic development and infrastructure services committee which debated the matter last month.

The projected costs of the road scheme have risen to £11.8million.

Construction and property costs, along with the preparation of a new planning application following the refusal last year of the original application, have all contributed to the increase.

Councillor Gordon McDonald, seconded by SNP colleague Councillor Gary Coull, moved that the link road project should be deferred until more information was available on the Scottish Government’s proposal for dualling the A96 trunk road and how that would impact on the proposed link road.

Council leader Councillor Stewart Cree, seconded by fellow Independent councillor John Cowe, moved an amendment that the council endorse the recommendation of the economic development and infrastructure services committee.

The amendment was carried by 11 votes to 10, with two abstentions.

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.