The Scottish Government is no closer to telling us when the Aberdeen bypass will open. Spring?
In a meeting of the Scottish Parliament’s rural economy and connectivity committee this morning, the Scottish Government’s Economy Cabinet Secretary failed to provide a definitive date for the opening of the western peripheral route, which is due to be completed this winter.
Under questioning from North East MSP Mike Rumbles, the Cabinet Secretary declined to give a specific completion date for the £745 million project, claiming that the current timetable to open the road in spring 2018 was still in place.
Transport Scotland’s website, however, still reports that the AWPR “is expected to open in winter 2017/18”, and following an announcement in December 2016 of a year-long delay to the project the Scottish Government claimed that it would be open by spring 2018.
Mr Rumbles said: “The Cabinet Secretary’s statement today did nothing but sow confusion over the opening date for the AWPR.
“People in the North East have already seen a year-long delay to the project. If the collapse of Carillion or other factors have caused further delays then the thousands of commuters and local people eagerly waiting the road’s opening should be informed as soon as possible.
“We have been told again and again that the project was due to be completed this winter. The winter of 2017/18. The spring is only five weeks away and it seems that either incompetence or embarrassment has prevented the Scottish Government from admitting that there is still a significant amount of work to be carried out before the road can open.”
• Transport Scotland’s overview of the AWPR project can be found at: https://www.transport.gov.scot/projects/aberdeen-western-peripheral-route-balmedie-to-tipperty/aberdeen-western-peripheral-route-balmedie-to-tipperty/
SNP bad!!!