A formal plea for financial support has been made by the group responsible for hugely ambitious plans build bridges or tunnels crossing the Clyde and sea lochs.
The project – estimated to cost at least £400m – was ‘kicked into the long grass’ by Argyll and Bute councillors earlier this summer.
But undeterred, the Cowal Fixed Link Working Group has now issued an open letter to councillors, comparing the project to the Borders Railway.
David McKenzie, the group’s chairman, said council support and a feasibility study were crucial to establish the best route ofr all tose detailed in this story and potential economic benefits.
He said today: “A project such as this fixed link will take many years to deliver but the expected economic benefit makes it well worth the effort to start now.
“The Borders Railway took nearly two decades to go from concept to delivery, but the benefits now being delivered are exceeding all expectations.
“We look to Argyll and Bute councillors to have the same vision that their Borders colleagues demonstrated in the late 90s and allow this project to get under way.”
In June the council’s Bute and Cowal area committee voted against a bid to signal support for the project, and soon afterwards a Highlands and Islands Enterprise report said the project was ‘longer term and aspirational’.
Mr McKenzie’s open letter quotes part of the motion agreed by that area committee: “…recommend to the council that Argyll and Bute Council participates with all other relevant partners in future discussions to assist with the delivery of what is clearly a national project.”
Immediately after that meeting though Mr McKenzie said he was disappointed with that decision, which came after a more overtly supportive proposal had been defeated by five votes to three.
The project has been backed by Mike Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, although the ‘triple whammy’ route which is seen as most likely would take road and/or rail traffic from Cowal, over or under Loch Long and through part of the Dumbarton constituency, represented by Jackie Bailie.
For details of all the possible routes proposed, click here.
The open letter and a letter from the Borders Council are here: Cowal Fixed Link – ABC Councillor Letter Aug ’16
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