Background to the Scheme

The title Western Distributor Road originated prior to the introduction of the Designing Streets policy and the term "distributor road"  is now not appropriate. To reflect this, the new project  title is Elgin Western Link Road.

The Western Link Road is one of the primary projects within the Elgin Traffic Management Programme. The purpose of the programme can be summarised in the following key objective

“to provide a quicker, safer and more reliable transport system in and around Elgin while accommodating future development”.

Elgin is split by the railway line and this creates difficulties for traffic to cross North-South. The vast majority of the traffic crossing the railway line within Elgin does so at the New Elgin Railway Bridge, which at peak times take nearly as much traffic as the A96 through Elgin.

The situation is highlighted by the traffic congestion in the vicinity of the bridge and the junctions on either side of it.

The A96 Aberdeen - Inverness Trunk Road and the A941 Lossiemouth - Elgin - Rothes Road are the main arterial roads in Elgin and these are supported by a number of "distributor" roads which link the arterial routes. These roads are Morriston Road in the NW of the town, Lesmurdie Road in the NE and Reiket Lane / Thornhill Road in the SE.

There is however no equivalent in the SW!

The need for this and other transport infrastructure improvements in Elgin have been identified in the Local Plan since 2000. The improvements are necessary to both cater for existing and encourage new development in the town.

Over the past few years a number of studies have been undertaken to establish how best to improve the traffic flow in Elgin. These studies have looked at bypass routes, inner routes and improvements to the existing road network. The biggest benefits arose from improving the distribution of traffic within Elgin itself.

An option appraisal exercise was undertaken and this has culminated in the approval, in September 2011, of the "Western Distributor Road". This runs from Edgar Road to the A96 using Wittet Drive and includes a new bridge over the railway and a new major junction with the A96 near Sheriffmill Road. 

This and a number of earlier reports and presentations can be viewed here.