Cllr Neil Benny

the February environment and housing committee, there would still be a statutory 12-week period for consultation on the associated TRO (traffic regulation order), with the possibility of objections.

“All going well”, however, they said works could start next September, and some physical measures may be able to be introduced during the TRO process.

Council leader Scott Farmer said: “I think in the past there’s been a degree of cynicism from our communities but it’s putting the money up front saying it’s a genuine consultation, you make the decision and the money will be there.”

Finance committee chair Councillor Margaret Brisley said the request had come at a stage in the year when the council could see potential underspends but had it come in May or June members may have had to take a different view.

Tory councillor Neil Benny said: “I completely agree with this project because it’s a very dangerous piece of road.

“I do worry a bit about the precedent but we are here to solve problems rather than make them.

“What we might need to consider is how we deal with this in the future. Underspends in the capital programme are not necessarily always there. It shouldn‘t stop us from doing it but it should give us pause to consider how we take on communities’ expectations in more general terms about these kinds of schemes.

“But this is not a community that wants something, it’s a community that needs something. We are breaking precedent not breaking rules, going round the normal process, but that needs to be reviewed probably quite urgently before I and every other councillor brings forward four or five projects from own areas.

“Effectively Blairlogie has been lucky enough to bring this up at the right time. But it shouldn’t be down to luck so we need to look at policy.”

Councillor Thomson added: “Now is the time to look at other schemes. This was evidence-based and not just because the community demanded it. It doesn’t mean if you want it you necessarily get it.”