Campaigners battling controversial plans for a western link road into Elgin have received backing from one of the Moray community’s most famous sons.
Visiting his home town for the New Year celebrations at the weekend was Hollywood star Kevin McKidd – who revealed that he had been keeping up with events back home and was well aware of the controversial events in Moray over recent months.
Kevin met with local campaigners on Wittet Drive to discuss with them first hand the issues surrounding the approach road, which had been thrown out at the planning stage only to be resurrected under controversial circumstances in the council chamber just before Christmas.
One of the leaders of the campaign opposing the creation of the £8.6million plans is James Wiseman, who said: “Kevin already knew the area well and had a great deal of knowledge about the proposal.
“Seeing the area first hand, he questioned the overriding necessity of the scheme and understood the concerns residents have about routing traffic – particularly heavy goods vehicles – through a residential area and past schools with the demolition of people’s homes.
“He also drew a telling comparison between the area where he grew up, where residential housing and parking are set back from the main A941 Lossie Road as it leaves Elgin, and these proposals which would see traffic on the doorsteps of residents of Edgar Road and Wittet Drive.”
Also meeting Kevin was James MacKessack-Leitch, one of many who had spoken passionately against the plans at a special planning hearing in November.
Mr MacKessack-Leitch said that throughout the course of the campaign contact had been maintained with a number of people who had grown up in Elgin who had offered their support.
He added: “From the petition to the questionnaire and then to the planning objections, people from all over with a connection to Elgin can see the folly of this project and have been making their voices heard.
“It’s great for the campaign to have the support of Kevin, and gives us a much needed boost after the setback of having the project resurrected only a few weeks ago.
“Ultimately though it’s down to the people of Elgin and Moray to hold the elected members to account – and I hope many more will be inspired to take the opportunity to get involved and make a difference.”
During his visit at the weekend Kevin also thrilled locals when he rejoined local musicians in the Drouthy Cobbler to perform songs from the ‘Speyside Sessions’ recorded during a previous visit home.
Kevin performs at the Drouthy Cobbler