The leader of the Tory Group in South Lanarkshire has waded into a row over controversial multi-million pound plans to dual East Kilbride's Stewartfield Way.
South Lanarkshire Council’s Tory Group have called for the project to be binned and for the SNP-led administration to reassess where City Deal cash is being spent.
But at a recent meeting of the council’s executive committee council leader John Ross said they would not look again at City Deal plans which are funded by both the UK and Scottish Governments to the tune of £1billion.
It is aimed at improving transport links and boosting economic growth.
Work is already underway to dual a section of Greenhills/Strathaven Road with drivers set to experience 18 months of traffic woes.
The East Kilbride News previously revealed Stewartfield Way works could see three years of upheaval.
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The £62million project which would include a flyover from Stewartfield Way, across the Kingsgate roundabout onto the Expressway, was one of the projects which the SNP argue was agreed by a Labour-Tory coalition in 2014/15.
But the Tories now say it is time for a rethink with other local authorities reconsidering City Deal plans including Glasgow and neighbouring North Lanarkshire.
Conservative leader in South Lanarkshire, Alex Allison, said the dualling was a “clear example” of a project being imposed against a community’s will.
The councillor said: “I understand other councils have been able to reassess specific projects located within their authorities without the area losing the City Deal funding.
“This project will have a massive impact on the people who live in Stewartfield and they would be badly let down if the SNP-led council will not reassess the impact it will have on their community.”
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His criticisms come in the wake of those aired by fellow Tory, Graham Simpson MSP, who has started a petition calling on a halt to the project, describing the work as “totally unnecessary” and a “waste of public money”.
Although he added that he did see “some merit” in the idea of a flyover.
A spokesman for South Lanarkshire Council said the proposals had been a “long-term priority” for the council and had been included in a succession of strategic plans publicly available for over 20 years.
He added: “Further work will continue on what is a complex project with several significant technical, legal and environmental elements to consider.”
A comprehensive public consultation is to be held as part of the planning application process, allowing residents and others to “explore the details of the proposals”.
