Plans for a mammoth expansion of Elgin could spark the resurrection of a contentious roads project recently scrapped by Moray Council.
After years of acrimony, the £11.8million Western Link Road project was abandoned last month as part of a cost-cutting drive.
But now, a leading councillor has said that developer Springfield Properties’ masterplan to radically reshape the south of the town over the next 30 years could make it a necessity.
The firm aims to create three new villages between Elgin Golf Club and the Linkwood area, with a sports centre and two new primary schools included in the scheme.
Elgin City South councillor John Divers said drastic measures will be required to relieve the burden on the town’s road system as the development progresses.
The Labour group leader said: “I’m delighted to see these plans come forward, which are very exciting for Elgin.
“But with 2,500 new houses going up in the south, something will need to be done to address the congestion in that area.
“It’s already a massive problem, and it is growing worse.
“The Western Link Road was removed from the council’s capital plan, but it’s still within the local development plan.
“As this housing starts to grow, it may have to be revived, because something needs to be done.”
However, fellow Elgin City South member, Graham Leadbitter, said that other roads improvement projects slated for completion over the coming years may negate the need for further infrastructure in Elgin.
He said: “The dualling of the A96 could significantly change traffic flow in Elgin.
“At this stage, it’s impossible to say what its impact will be, and the transport situation at the new community will need to be regularly reviewed.”
Mr Leadbitter, who was one of 13 councillors who voted to axe the Western Link Road, said the disruption the scheme had caused residents along Edgar Road and Wittet Drive was a major factor in its demise.
They complained that it would endanger schoolchildren and create an unacceptable level of traffic, noise and pollution along residential routes.
Mr Leadbitter added: “The issues with the project were never about whether Elgin needed an improved road network, but about whether that was the right change in the right place.”
The Western Link Road project was controversially revived by Moray Council’s administration group in November 2014, after being thrown out by its planning committee.