ACCUSATIONS and counter-accusations have been flying in Angus Council's debating chamber and beyond, as the Guide & Gazette's campaign for improving safety at Conchie's Corner has caught fire.
And the air was decidedly warm during an infrastructure services committee debate on Tuesday, when councillors voted, 9-6, against an amendment for realignment of the narrow, twisting bends, at a cost of £334,000.
They had been presented with opti
ons including full and partial realignment - with a recommendation that nothing should be done.
The matter will now go to a meeting of the full Angus Council for further discussion.
During Tuesday's debate, Councillor Ralph Palmer accused Councillor John Whyte of reneging on election promises.
When we spoke to Mr Whyte on Wednesday morning, he explained that he had felt obliged to vote against that particular item because of the low accident statistics compiled by council officers, and their recommendation based thereon. He said they are professionals, and he accepted their judgement on the evidence available to them.
However, he assured our readers that he is keen to collect evidence from residents about near misses and other incidents which may not have been reported. He intends to present this to the full council meeting when the A930 come up on its agenda.
Mr Whyte said he will welcome comments from the public about the road, and he can be contacted by letter at 34 Reform Street, Monifieth, DD5 4BA, or by e-mail at CllrWhyte@angus.gov.uk
He added: "Despite (the outcome of the meeting] I fully support the campaign. It may be that the statistics do not show the dangers, but anyone who drives the road knows the dangers.
"I would like to have seen the road improved before now, but the previous SNP administration did not feel it could act. If Conchie's Corner comes top of the list, action will be taken."
Mr Palmer also spoke to the Guide & Gazette after the meeting, and said: "In my opinion Councillor Whyte has made the sharpest U-turn in Scottish politics. His pre-election promises are utterly worthless now."
He continued: "The promise of 'jam tomorrow' in the form of another report from the Angus Alliance is just another delaying tactic. No-one voted for this Alliance, no-one knows what they stand for, but to me one thing seems certain, any pre-election promises any of its members have made seem to be unashamedly abandoned in the light of the 'party' whip.
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