Scotland: Aberdeen by-pass

Christine Macleod
The Politics Show Scotland

The bypass is aimed at cutting congestion in and around Aberdeen

Tensions are simmering between coalition parties over the controversial Aberdeen by-pass.

A senior Labour backbencher criticises Lib Dem ministers and councillors over the newly announced route.

MP for Aberdeen South, Anne Begg tells the Politics Show that it hasn't been costed properly and the consultation process has been flawed.

Scotland's Lib Dem Transport minister Tavish Scott announced his preferred route for the new by-pass in Aberdeen this week.

It cuts through the leafy and very affluent area of Milltimber.

It is further away from Aberdeen's city centre than the originally consulted on route, which cut through Murtle.

Like many other British cities, Aberdeen has a big problem with traffic congestion.

The aim of the by-pass is to end that, reduce travel times, cut pollution and boost the economy.

The long awaited answer on the location of the by-pass is a relief for some.

Liberal Democrat led Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Councils have welcomed it, saying it finally brings some certainty to the long- running discussions over various routes.

President of Aberdeen's Chamber of Commerce is equally enthusiastic about it.

Derek Henderson says it will alleviate traffic problems in the city by handling a lot of the airport traffic.

He also envisages benefits for Aberdeen's businesses.

But the announcement hasn't been viewed as good news by all. The casualties include Aberdeen's International School and 19 homes - all earmarked for demolition.

The privately run school is opposed to the new plan. Its Board of Trustees is currently looking carefully at what it will mean for them.

The school's Headmaster Dr. Hovde, is worried about what the future holds for his 350 pupils and tells the show that the school is very eager to meet with the Scottish Executive to look at ways of replicating their services.

Labour MP, Anne Begg is seriously concerned about how the decision for the new route has been handled.

She says its new price tag of £400m is three times the cost of the Western Peripheral Route, the route originally put out to consultation.

Many talk about it bringing economic benefits to the area, but so far she says, the pros and cons of this new route have not been costed.

Figures suggesting the by-pass as 'value for money' in the newspapers she says, are all based on the much cheaper original proposal.

Transport Expert from Aberdeen University, Dr. Jon Shaw, has similar concerns.

He questions whether the new price-tag can be justified when it is clear to him that cheaper alternatives such as a more regular bus service haven't been considered.

He also fears spending so much on this project could leave the national transport pot lacking, to the detriment of other transport projects.

Ms Begg is also pressing the Transport minister for an explanation as to why there has not been consultation on his new preferred route, which includes a new stretch to the south of Milltimber.

But the sitting Lib Dem MSP whose constituency - Aberdeen South - through which the by-pass will run, says that all is not lost.

Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen says the formal consultation process is yet to begin and it is likely that it will be followed by a public local inquiry at the end of the year.

This gives the public the chance to influence the process.

But campaigners are not convinced this will give the public a fair say.

According to Marie Bolton from Road Sense, this can only happen if ministers put all possible options on the table. So far, they have failed to do that.

That is why they say it has been an unfair consultation process and intend to take legal action against ministers, once they have announced their road orders.

With more questions than answers being raised about the new route - does this mean the Scottish Executive is still stuck in its Aberdeen by-pass jam?

Politics Show

Tune into the Politics Show Scotland, on BBC One on Sunday 14 May 2006 at 12.00pm.

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