Following recent design work and community consultation, the council has decided not to progress the Moss Street active travel proposals at this time. Many residents raised concerns about the changes, and with no confirmed timetable for an A96 bypass to ease traffic in the town, the council said it will revisit the proposals once there is more certainty about future road plans.

The funding originally allocated for Moss Street, around £750,000, will now be redirected to other town centre regeneration projects that meet Levelling Up Fund criteria and can bring economic benefit to Moray.

At the same meeting, the council confirmed that the Levelling Up programme will include the redevelopment of the Auction Mart and former sawmill site at Linkwood Road. This work will focus on a major surface water management scheme, which will help unlock both sites for future development.

These changes ensure that the Levelling Up programme remains deliverable within funding timescales and continues to support the long-term regeneration of Elgin.

A planning application for the surface water management scheme is expected in summer 2026, with work planned to start later in the year.

Leader of Moray Council, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, stated: “Residents and businesses have been very clear in this consultation about what matters most to them, and we have listened. By pausing the active travel proposals for Moss Street and refocusing investment on the Auction Mart and former sawmill sites, we are making sure the Levelling Up programme delivers real and lasting benefits for Elgin.

“These changes allow us to stay on track with regeneration while responding to local concerns, and they ensure that public funding supports projects the community told us they value. We will continue working closely with partners and the public as the programme moves into its next phase.”