Keith councillors at heart of Elgin link road decision
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KEITH councillors were at the centre of a crucial debate and vote which has approved increased costs for Elgin’s proposed western link road.
Councillors today voted 11-10 to sanction increased costs of £11.8 million for the controversial scheme.
Approval of the costs had been recommended by the council’s economic development and infrastructure services committee which debated the matter last month.
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.
Buckie Councillor Gordon McDonald, seconded by SNP colleague Councillor Gary Coull, a member of Keith and Cullen, 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.
However, Council leader Stewart Cree, also a Keith-Cullen member, 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.
