Reopening a scenic Mearns coastal route all year round would be irresponsible, it has been claimed.
Stonehaven councillor Peter Bellarby said he would only support such a move if the upper and lower slopes of Bervie Braes were fully stabilised at a cost of £3.5 million.
However, Aberdeenshire Council’s director of infrastructure services, Stephen Archer, said identifying the funding would be a particular issue given its current budget pressures.
The Kincardine and Mearns area committee was asked to comment on an assessment of the economic value of the reopening of the Bervie Braes.
The economic impact to Stonehaven and its surrounding area from a full year of visitors arising from the reopening of the Bervie Braes road is an estimated net additional expenditure, or spend, of between £43,000 and £860,000 per annum, supporting up to 17 jobs and a gross value added to the local economy of between £30,000 and £600,000 per annum.
Mr Bellarby said: “I think this report shows there is an economic advantage to Stonehaven in keeping the road open in summer.
“I don’t think it would be responsible of us to suggest that the road should be kept open in winter time unless the work that is estimated to cost £3.5m is carried out.
“I don’t see where the £3.5m is going to come from considering we have a huge need across the whole of Aberdeenshire for capital investment projects such as new schools.”
The community successfully campaigned for the seasonal reopening of the road after it was closed following major landslides in 2009.
It opened one-way from April until October to address concerns over the economic impact on businesses and tourism caused by the closure.
The stretch will reopen in the spring, but Councillor Graeme Clark said he could not see a case for keeping it closed for the winter.
He said: “I honestly don’t see a case for keeping it closed when we have all these safety measures in place. Stonehaven is a tourist town and I think this report has reiterated we’re missing out and there is a loss by closing this road.
“I don’t think there is a danger. I walk up that road every week and I don’t see any earth moving above the red and white barrier. We have sophisticated warning systems from Sepa now for flooding and sensors in the ground on the braes.
“I think if there is a danger of heavy weather the road can be closed then, so I’m not convinced at all by closing the road in winter.”
Councillor Wendy Agnew added: “I’d like to see it reopening all year round, but we have to be careful following previous landslips.”