Moray Council updates Levelling Up programme to focus on Auction Mart and Sawmill regeneration

Following recent design work and community consultation, the Council has decided not to progress the Moss Street active travel proposals at this time. Many residents raised concerns about the changes, and with no confirmed timetable for an A96 bypass to ease traffic in the town, the Council will revisit the proposals once there is more certainty about future road plans.

The funding originally allocated for Moss Street, around £750,000, will now be redirected to other town centre regeneration projects that meet Levelling Up Fund criteria and can bring economic benefit to Moray.

At the same meeting, the Council confirmed that the Levelling Up programme will include the redevelopment of the Auction Mart and former sawmill site at Linkwood Road. This work will focus on a major surface water management scheme, which will help unlock both sites for future development. This includes plans for new greenspace and paths and will aim to maximise biodiversity across the sites. Council taking responsibility for the water management infrastructure and the landowners maintaining the surrounding green areas.

These changes ensure that the Levelling Up programme remains deliverable within funding timescales and continues to support the long-term regeneration of Elgin.

A planning application for the surface water management scheme is expected in summer 2026, with work planned to start later in the year.

Leader of Moray Council, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, stated: “Residents and businesses have been very clear in this consultation about what matters most to them, and we have listened. By pausing the active travel proposals for Moss Street and refocusing investment on the Auction Mart and former sawmill sites, we are making sure the Levelling Up programme delivers real and lasting benefits for Elgin.

“These changes allow us to stay on track with regeneration while responding to local concerns, and they ensure that public funding supports projects the community told us they value. We will continue working closely with partners and the public as the programme moves into its next phase.”

Consultation results

Recent public consultation on the Levelling Up proposals for Elgin town centre and Moss Street attracted strong local interest, with over 30 responses on the town centre proposals and 86 formal responses on the Moss Street options.

The feedback has played a key role in informing the Council’s decision to pause the active travel proposals at this time.

Town Centre proposals – what people said

• Most town centre businesses supported the proposals for access control measures, provided they could still receive essential deliveries during the day.  
• Members of the public were more divided, with many concerned they would no longer be able to drive into the pedestrianised areas.
• A video survey on Lossie Wynd found 39 vehicles parking on the cycle route over a two day period, causing safety issues for cyclists, mobility scooter users and pedestrians. This showed the current layout is not working well for vulnerable road users.

Moss Street – what people said

Feedback on Moss Street was significant and showed no clear support for taking forward either of the two proposed traffic options.

Key findings included:

• A large proportion of respondents asked for no change at all, preferring Moss Street to remain two way.
• Only 9 people supported Option 1 (turning Moss Street one-way Northbound from the Laichmoray roundabout to Greyfriars Street), while 33 supported Option 2 (closing Moss Street to general traffic at the Laichmoray roundabout to create a ‘quiet street’ with a one-way section northbound from Institution Road and South Street), and 18 explicitly asked for nothing to be done. Many others said they “did not know” or did not favour either option.
• Residents raised strong concerns that making the street one way or closing it at the south end could push traffic into surrounding residential streets, such as Abbey Street, Queen Street, Duff Avenue and Reidhaven Street.
• Many highlighted existing problems with speeding, noise, and parking pressures, especially where residents rely on on street parking.
• Some respondents supported the idea of safer, quieter streets, but only if parking and access needs for residents were protected.

The consultation also prompted officers to develop a third option for Moss Street – one way southbound - to address some of the issues raised. However, because almost half of respondents did not state a preference or asked for no change at all, the Council has decided to pause the Moss Street active travel proposals and revisit them once the wider traffic context, including A96 bypass plans, is clearer.