Plans to reduce Moray car journeys have 'no clout'

Moray Council’s plans to get people using alternatives to their own cars have "no clout".

That was a criticism voiced yesterday as the local authority set out its new Active Travel Strategy.

This strategy aims to get more people walking or cycling.

However there were concerns that progress in building pathways is being stalled by landowners.

John Cowe (Heldon and Laich, Independent) said: "Locally we’ve been working for almost 20 years to get an active travel route from Lossiemouth to Hopeman and on to Burghead then Kinloss.

"Time and time again there have been attempts to get landowners round the table and discuss a way forward so a route can be built.

"I feel we are stuck in a place where we cannot move forward without the support of Moray Council."

Cllr Cowe put forward a proposal that, if faced with resistance, the council should obtain what are known as public path delineations, which would allow land to be obtained and pathways to be built.

However, Aileen Scott, the council's legal services manager, stated there were problems with this proposal as it would commit the local authority to unknown costs.

She said: "What you’re being asked to approve here is the strategy.

"Sitting behind that are various powers as to how these routes are achieved.

"But in individual circumstances you would need to consider the detail, and the financial implications."

Juli Harris (Speyside/Glenlivet, SNP) called for landowners to be made aware of the law relating to public access and rights of way.

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