Claims that a major traffic jam in Elgin would have been avoided if the disputed Western Link Road had been in place have sparked a fresh row over the purpose of the divisive proposal.
Town-centre traffic was brought to a standstill on Monday afternoon when a lorry bearing an abnormal load broke down on the A96 Inverness to Aberdeen road.
Moray Council convener Allan Wright said the ensuing traffic chaos “promoted the cause for the Western Link Road” since the truck would likely have been using the alternative route if it were in place.
Opponents to the plan dismissed the remarks as “utter nonsense” and seized upon his statement as an indication that the council viewed the route as a town-centre bypass.
Elgin City South councillor Graham Leadbitter said: “The councillor’s suggestion that the broken-down lorry on the A96 would have been using the Western Link Road had it been in place is utter nonsense.
“Whatever people’s thoughts are on the link road, it has never been promoted as an alternative to the A96.
“The debate about the link road is better served without nonsense comments like this.”
James MacKessack-Leitch, Moray Greens convener and a leading campaigner against the development, said the council had never previously indicated the road would be used to serve heavy good vehicles.
And he suggested Councillor Wright had “let the cat out of the bag” on the route’s true purpose.
He said: “Council officials have always stressed that the Western Link Road is not a final piece in a new city-centre bypass.
“For Mr Wright to hint that this was never the case, or let the cat out of the bag that heavy goods vehicles will be routed through the south of Elgin in the future, is extremely worrying.”
Yesterday Mr Wright maintained his stance that the traffic problems would have been less had the link road been operational.
He said: “I still believe the Western Link Road will alleviate problems such as this week’s traffic jam.
“I think the lorry would have probably taken the link road, but even if it had used the A96 it would have been simple to redirect the affected traffic along the link road, lessening tailbacks.”
Police were forced to close a lengthy stretch of the A96 for almost two hours on Monday when a lorry carrying heavy offshore equipment suffered a burst hydraulic pipe.