Councillors in Aberdeen have set a deadline for the Scottish Government to sign a legal agreement on planned improvements to a notorious bottleneck roundabout in the city.
The Labour-led administration has claimed the SNP government could “renege” on its stated commitment to upgrade the Haudagain in 2018.
Coalition leaders have insisted that Transport Minister Keith Brown must sign a binding contract that the project will be financed by Holyrood.
Members of the finance, policy and resources committee voted by nine to six on a range of measures, including a demand for a guarantee from the government or its roads agency Transport Scotland by April 30 next year. If that does not happen, council officials will progress plans to carry out a major regeneration project for the Middlefield area.
The council has planned that the improvements for one of the most deprived communities in the city would coincide with the revamp of the roundabout.
Finance convener, Labour councillor Willie Young, said: “For the first time since 2008, we have a decision which will allow the Haudagain project to move forward with both council and Scottish Government support, but only if the minister gives us the appropriate financial guarantees.”
Council officials have been asked to report back to the committee in May next year, with estimated costs for completing the Middlefield work without the Haudagain upgrade.
It is understood the cost would be upwards of £10million.
The planned road revamp would take the form of a new dual carriageway route linking North Anderson Drive to Auchmill Road, which is designed to take pressure off the congested roundabout.
Between 80 and 100 houses would be demolished to clear land for the road, but more than 300 would be affected by the wider regeneration scheme.
Council tenants will have to be rehoused and private homeowners will be compensated.
The SNP Government has repeatedly stated its commitment to the Haudagain improvements, however.
Transport Minister Mr Brown insists there is “no requirement” for a written agreement with the council, as it has been made clear on several occasions that the government will foot the bill.