Moray MP Douglas Ross has hailed council leader Kathleen Robertson for “doing the right thing” and ensuring that plans to re-open the Cloddach Bridge will continue apace.
Douglas slammed SNP and Labour councillors for working “hand in hand” to try and scupper the £1.5 million investment that was given by the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the Budget in March 2023.
He said that their planned amendment to Councillor Bridget Mustard’s motion – which would have seen the council refusing UK Government investment and been a slap in the face to the Community Council and local campaigners who want this bridge re-opened – shows how “out-of-touch” they are with the needs of the communities affected by the ongoing closure.
By contrast, all Conservative councillors voted for the motion including Kathleen after a vote was tied at 12 apiece.
Douglas says the votes by SNP and Labour councillors show that they preferred to prioritise “party politics” rather than welcoming the significant investment in the community.
Council leader Kathleen Robertson says her casting vote delivers a “major boost” to the local community who are desperate for the bridge to be re-opened and one that will be welcomed by them.
Heldon and Laich Conservative Councillor Bridget Mustard – who put forward the motion asking councillors to back the funding plans – says she is “delighted” at the outcome and thanked the commitment from the community in progressing the business case to access the funding.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “I am delighted that Kathleen Robertson – as council leader – did the right thing with her casting vote and ensured that the council will accept the £1.5million I secured from the UK Government and fund the remainder of the construction to re-open Cloddach Bridge.
“It was bitterly disappointing to see SNP and Labour councillors working hand in hand and were hellbent on trying to stop this from happening, which they should be ashamed of.
“They were playing party politics – because they didn’t want to welcome the funding given by the Chancellor and the UK Conservative Government – instead of welcoming that significant investment from them in our communities.
“That just shows how out of touch they are with their priorities. By sharp contrast, all of Moray’s Conservative councillors voted to support the local community and finally get this bridge re-opened.
“I also want to pay tribute to Heldon Community Council for their tireless efforts to get to this stage. They secured the funding for the business case which shows there is a clear benefit to re-opening this bridge.
“Years on from the bridge being closed we now have positive news for the area that funding from the UK Government and the council will ensure the bridge finally re-opens. Against all the odds and significant reluctance from council officers, along with outright opposition from Labour and SNP councillors, the right decision has been reached and this critical route will be re-opened.”
Council leader Kathleen Robertson said: “I used my casting vote to ensure that local residents who have been deeply impacted by this closure were not ignored.
“Ensuring that the Cloddach Bridge gets re-opened will deliver a major boost to the local community.
“As Council leader, I will always put local people first and act on their priorities and that is why I backed the motion put forward by Conservative colleague, rather than the SNP’s amendment.”
Heldon and Laich Councillor Bridget Mustard added: “I am delighted that the decisions allows us to finally progress with repairing the vital route. I know it will be warmly welcomed by the local community who have been tirelessly fighting to get this crucial bridge re-opened.
“By working together with our local Conservative MP and the UK Government, we have been able to deliver a plan that can now deliver what the local community wants."