East Dunbartonshire Council has officially scrapped its plans to bring back traffic lights at the Catherine Street in Kirkintilloch Town Centre due to escalating costs.

More than two years have passed since officials were initially instructed to hire consultants on the project, but costs have continually increased, reaching £1.4 million in August when councillors voted to instead review the situation to see if there was any way to reduce this financial burden.

It was also noted that the council would have to borrow to fund the project, further inflating the cost while traffic studies undertaken in the area failed to present evidence showing there was adequate need for the signals to be brought back.

At a council meeting where the latest report was discussed, council leader Gordan Low (SNP, Bishopbriggs South) aid “The cost of this project has increased considerably since we first put this forward so regrettably we don’t consider that it is now financially sustainable to continue.”

He added that in response to concerns from the community reviews would be undertaken to identify potential alternative improvements to the junction.

During the meeting Councillor Billy Hendry (Conservative, Bishopbriggs North and Campsie) welcome the decision to cease work on this project but added that it was an “embarrassment” to Councillor Low and his administration that they had failed to get a set of traffic lights up and running.