Claims that Highland Council favours Inverness over Lochaber have returned with a vengeance after a contentious report said the proposed Caol link road would cost more than the Inverness bypass.
The two-mile Inverness West link road is costing £43.35million, plus a further £12.3million for sports facilities at Torvean Golf Course and Canal Parks, while a 1.6-mile link between Inverlochy and Caol is estimated at between £54.2million and £78million – without any provision for sporting amenities.
Campaign group For Lochaber claims the high estimate is an attempt to make the Fort William scheme look less attractive.
Cost estimates for the much-needed link Caol link road, which would bypass a section of the busy A82 Inverness to Glasgow trunk road, are given in a transport background paper accompanying the West Highland and Islands Local Development Plan.
The document also states: “It is noted from historic traffic data that the traffic levels on the urban section of the A82 in Fort William have remained relatively flat since 2006.”
For Lochaber chairman Duncan Brown said the Fort must be the only place in the UK that had not experienced increased traffic levels in the past 10 years.
And he described the cost estimates as “terrifyingly high” – adding that perhaps that was the intention.
He added: “According to these figures – provided by Highland Council to help councillors make a decision about going ahead with the link road – this small length of road would cost more than the Inverness West bypass,” said Mr Brown.
And he pointed out that the council had recently reneged on its funding offer to Lochaber Sports Association for an indoor sporting facility in Fort William.
Mr Brown added that it seemed Highland Council gave priority treatment to Inverness and the Inner Moray Firth, while other parts of the Highlands “received the crumbs from the table”.
He said: “Highland Council must give a form of ‘home rule’ to Lochaber, so our councillors can take decisions in Lochaber, and make these for the best interests of Lochaber and its people.”
Councillor Brian Murphy, Fort William and Ardnamurchan, said local members demanded that the document was withdrawn from the development plan consultation because of a “number of inaccuracies and unsubstantiated assertions”.
He called for a “fair and objective” appraisal to be carried out.
A Highland Council spokeswoman confirmed the paper had been removed from the council’s website.
She added that the purpose of the paper and plan was to stimulate local discussion and comment and she encouraged local residents to take part in the consultation.