Progress made on £400m Aberdeen road job

A £400 million Aberdeen road scheme is finally making progress after years of delays.

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route had been held up by a public inquiry and legal challenge, but a judge has ruled against appellants - including campaign group Road Sense - who now have three weeks to lodge an appeal.

The 28-mile AWPR is to be procured by Transport Scotland alongside the A90 Balmedie to Tipperty project in a combined model form of contract which caps private-sector profits.

A source close to the scheme said discussions have been ongoing about sourcing funding and that the backers are confident that the money will be found to progress the scheme.

The bypass was originally given the go-ahead in December 2009 following a public inquiry and has been hailed as having the potential to unlock new road improvement schemes including £15-30m improvements to the Haudagain roundabout and Third Don (River) Crossing; and a new £14m link road connecting the A90 North Anderson Drive with the A96 Auchmill Road.

Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future board member and developer Stewart Milne said: “Such a major investment in infrastructure may seem to be at odds with our aim for a balanced provision of transport modes.

“However, it must be remembered that the lack of investment in road infrastructure over many years means that this strategic project, which should have been in place years ago, is still very much needed. It is also important to recognise the impact it will have on other transport solutions.”