Proposals for new Moray bridge take a step forward

The Cloddach Bridge is near Elgin

Plans to replace a crumbling road bridge have moved a step closer after Moray councillors agreed that a business case could be drawn up.

The Cloddach Bridge, near Elgin, was closed to vehicles in February last year due to its poor condition.

The bridge, which is in the constituency of Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, was given £1.5m in the UK government's spring Budget.

It has been estimated that the project could cost about £3m.

The Cloddach Bridge, which crosses the River Lossie, was built in 1905 with an estimated lifespan of up to 120 years.

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Mr Ross said in March he had directly lobbied the chancellor ahead of the Budget to see if the UK government could provide funding assistance.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced £320m for public spending in Scotland in the next financial year, including for the bridge subject to a business case being developed for the repairs, to the "delight" of Mr Ross.

Concerns had been raised that the authority could not afford to fund the business case if the rest of the bill for the new bridge could not be found.

Members of the local authority heard on Wednesday that the local community council had offered £120,000 towards the £187,000 cost of drawing up the business case for the crossing.

Councillors voted 14-12 in favour of taking the project to the next step - against the recommendation of officials - ahead of a deadline for the business case by next April.