Well, the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route might open in late summer. Or maybe autumn. Official.
Keith Brown MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, wrote today to Aberdeenshire Council with an update.
He said there is “effectively a range of dates when the road is likely to be open. The earliest date is likely to be towards the end of the summer period, however it may be more prudent to anticipate a late autumn 2018 opening date for project opening.”
He adds that Aberdeen Roads Ltd “has cited delays which it attributes to a number of factors including the cumulative effects of weather events on the project such as Storm Frank in 2015 and delays in relation to public utility diversions. I also understand that there have been project impacts on the supply chain emanating from the insolvency of Carillion.
“Notwithstanding this, Transport Scotland is also establishing whether any further measures can be implemented to ensure the project is not only delivered at the earliest opportunity but to identify if sections of new road can be opened in advance of the whole of the project.”
The minister closes by saying: “Although this news is very disappointing for the people of the North East, we will continue to work hard to press the contractor to open the roads at the earliest opportunity that it is safe to do so.”
Keith Brown also made a statement to parliament along these lines today.
Early winter anyone?