Campaigners against a controversial Moray Council road scheme have claimed new financial pressures facing the local authority present the most compelling reason yet to scrap the plan.
Councillors have learned that the cash-strapped body’s spending plans are no longer “financially sustainable”.
The local authority’s corporate director, Mark Palmer, has urged members to remove some expensive projects from the drawing board over the next two years.
Opponents of the Elgin Western Link Road, whose costs have spiralled to almost £12million over recent months, say the council must now axe the proposed route.
Fochabers Lhanbryde representative Douglas Ross will implore members to abandon the scheme when they meet at the council’s Elgin headquarters today.
Mr Ross said: “This is the most compelling argument we have ever had in favour of dropping the Western Link Road.
“Some councillors will perhaps have to swallow a bit of humble pie, and finally agree that the plan is something we just can’t afford.
“For a long time, people have been saying that the Western Link Road is an expensive waste of money. But now it is clearer than ever that it is something we can’t go through with, and we can’t go along with some members’ obsession.
Mr Ross said that leaving the roads scheme in the council’s spending plan could mean that other more worthy projects face the chop.
Moray Council has already agreed to dig into its reserves to help plug a budget gap of £12million during the coming financial year.
Corporate director Mr Palmer has outlined a revised capital spending programme which could achieve more than £2million in savings.
He stated that £500,000 more could be saved in the coming year if the Western Link Road is deferred or removed from the council’s plans.
But last night, council convener Allan Wright said completing the infrastructure project should remain a priority.
Mr Wright said: “It’s been made clear we are living beyond our means. But I believe a Western Link Road and a new crossing over the railway remain necessary.”
Council members will debate numerous other suggested savings measures during today’s crunch meeting.
Mr Palmer said: “Current service provision is not financially sustainable and the council needs to focus its efforts on addressing this fundamental problem during the next two years.”
