Fast-tracked work on the new entrance to a replacement Moray secondary school will begin next week – despite a Scottish Government setback delaying the construction of the building itself.
Construction of the access road to the proposed new Elgin High School will start on Monday after Moray Council pushed through planning permission yesterday.
Councillors learned earlier this month that funding for the £28.2million school has been delayed indefinitely due to European accounting legislation, known as ESA10.
To minimise any further hitches, the local authority will initially extend Edgar Road, creating a new access for both Greenwards Primary and Elgin High School.
This extension will take approximately 14 weeks to complete and will not be affected by the EU funding issue.
Long-term campaigner for the school, Elgin south councillor John Divers, welcomed the news yesterday.
“It will be good for all of us to see some work being started on the school project,” he said.
“Not only will this save time but it will reduce construction traffic during the school build and also the impact on school activities.”
Council leader Stewart Cree added: “We in Moray Council are as disappointed as everyone else over the difficulties that have arisen in securing the funding that has been promised for the new high school.
“I am confident that these can and will be overcome, and we have had assurances from Scottish Government that the funding is in place.
“However we are equally determined that the EU wrangle will not affect the momentum of the project.”
A government spokeswoman said last night: “We are doing our upmost to ensure that delay is kept to a minimum and projects can move to financial close as soon as possible.”
It is expected that the section up to Greenwards Primary will be completed before the new school term starts in August.
Edgar Road will remain in use as a construction access route when the high school construction starts.
The works include the resurfacing of Edgar Road west of the Cedarwood Centre, replacement street lighting and an informal parking area to cater for visitors to the Wetlands.
Pedestrian access to the Wetlands will be maintained, but parking on Edgar Road may be restricted due to construction activity.