Highlands and Islands Enterprise investment at Forres Enterprise Park criticised by Douglas Ross MSP
A Scottish government-funded development agency has confirmed it has so far spent over £150,000 on lock blocking pavements in Forres.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) spent £119,366 to replace a 1,285 metre stretch of stone chips at the Enterprise Park, and commissioned a smaller section of lock blocking five years ago at a cost of £34,000.
The costs were revealed when Tory MSP Douglas Ross asked HIE why grey stone chuckies that divided a carriageway from the pavement in the park were replaced by lock blocking.
“I was shocked,” he said. “Why has such a significant sum been spent when many businesses are struggling? HIE are supposed to grow the economy, not spend thousands on projects like this.
“There is a duty for enterprise bosses to be carrying out work that delivers value for the taxpayer. I'm not convinced this massive spend meets that test.”
There are currently 23 businesses located at the park, including Horizon Scotland and HIE’s Moray team. There are two unoccupied buildings - one is under offer and the other is being converted as part of a Moray Growth Deal project.
Mr Ross said: “Bosses need to be fully transparent about why lock blocking was deemed to be a priority at this time. This seems to be a purely cosmetic decision and there were surely better ways for an enterprise body to spend this amount of funding.”
He finished: “They must also confirm what this project will cost in full when it is completed.”
Forres Enterprise Park has had issues with travellers setting up camps within its boundaries for years, most recently twice last summer.
In 2017, Douglas Ross, the former Conservative MP for Moray said he would impose "tougher enforcement against Gypsy Travellers" if he was Prime Minister for the day, adding that he wanted action against those who "flout local planning procedures with illegal encampments".
Police Scotland confirmed they were aware of the encampments and Moray Council Unauthorised Encampment Officers liaised with those involved.
A HIE spokesman confirmed the cost of cleaning up in their wake last year amounted to around £6000.
He said: “Whether anyone is charged for the damage caused is a matter for Police Scotland.
“We’re taking all affordable steps to prevent future unauthorised camps. This has included installing concrete blocks at site entrances, large wooden posts at open areas and bunding around undeveloped sites.”
At the time of writing, Police Scotland have not answered a query about anyone being charged regarding the incidents.
