The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Funding row over active travel plan
T majorhe £13 million Arbroath active travel scheme was at the centre of a budget day row after an SNP opposition plan to put the brakes on the idea.
Sustrans is putting up £9m of the costs for a scheme to redraw the A92, which divides the centre of the town, to create greater cycling and walking opportunities.
But the plan has split the community since the funding windfall was announced three years ago.
The opposition budget proposed bumping back a £4m council commitment in favour of directing a seven-figure sum to keep the £50m Monifieth High School replacement programme on a five-year track.
Angus communities convener Mark Salmond said he was “shocked” with the SNP proposal to delay the legally-committed expenditure. He said SNP
members had been part of a meeting with consultants over the £13m scheme in recent days, during which no indication of the possible U-turn was given.
“I have never seen such a collective display of disrespect towards council officers and external consultants,” said Montrose independent Mr Salmond.
“I now have real concerns about Sustrans ever funding anything to do with Angus Council after this SNP stunt.”
SNP finance spokesman, Montrose councillor Bill Duff, accused Mr Salmond
of being “out of order” with his criticism.
“I would remind him that there is a confidentiality impact on all budgets and if the SNP members were aware I would not expect them to have revealed the details to a sub-committee meeting,” he said.
Mr Duff said the “huge and necessary” Monifieth High replacement project left no room for “nice-tohaves” like the Arbroath scheme.
He added: “There would appear to be a considerable amount of unhappiness within Arbroath. Our elected members are not in favour and they are articulating the views of their constituents, as we should all do.
“In the current climate, this is a want not a need and we have therefore delayed it in the current budget. We feel further consultation is essential.
“We’re supportive of active travel but any scheme must be proportionate and benefit the whole of Angus.”
The scheme was branded “unnecessarily expensive” by Carnoustie independent David Cheape, but defended by authority leader and Arbroath independent David Fairweather for the “stunning” difference it would make to the community.
The Arbroath commitment remains on the Angus capital plan after the administration saw its £288m spending plans safely voted through.