Councillors have demanded that their vision for a second bridge to bring traffic into Ellon is not sidelined.
Proposals for a second crossing over the River Ythan were included in the 2012 local development plan, which Scotia Homes were required to contribute to if their planned 980-home scheme at Cromleybank progresses.
But in the emerging local development plan, the bridge has been listed as a possibility – prompting concerns that it was being sidelined in favour of a southern bypass.
The bypass has been put forward by Scotia as a more effective way of cutting congestion and reducing the number of lorries going through the town from the Inverurie and Peterhead directions. It would take traffic from the A920 Oldmeldrum to Ellon route on to South Road and out onto the A90.
Councillor Rob Merson said the planning blueprint should contain both options, so that the best way of easing traffic congestion could be considered when the Cromleybank proposals come to be considered.
He said: “I’m open to discussions and debate about alternatives.
“But it was a precondition that there would be a vehicular bridge.
“There’s nobody currently in residence at Cromleybank to make representations (on the best way to manage the traffic) for themselves, so local members are obliged to put themselves in that position.”
He was echoed by fellow Ellon councillor Gillian Owen, who said: “I was sad to see the ‘possible inclusion bridge over the Ythan’, as we didn’t speak about it as a possibility. It was a given that we would get another road bridge across the Ythan.”
Scotia has previously said that an independent transport assessment suggested a second bridge would have a “limited long-term benefit” to Ellon, while the bypass would reduce peak-time congestion and the number of lorries travelling through the town from the Inverurie or Peterhead directions.
And last night Derrick Thomson, director at the firm, revealed that at a consultation earlier this month, 81% of the 112 people who voted preferred the bypass option.
He said: “Scotia now hope that this outcome and the detailed traffic assessments clearly demonstrates that the bypass is the preferred and best long-term solution for Ellon, including the 980 new houses at Cromleybank.”
However, councillors voted seven votes to four to include both the bridge and bypass options in the emerging local development plan.