City traffic plan has depth

Aberdeen's traffic could be sent underground

Traffic congestion in one of Scotland's biggest cities could be cured by building a tunnel underneath it, according to a scientist.

The geology expert said it would be a cheaper and more effective way of overcoming Aberdeen's problems than a bypass.

The northern Scottish city has major traffic problems and there have been repeated calls over the years for a bypass to ease congestion.

Congestion is an issue in Aberdeen

But now Aberdeen University's Andrew Hurst has suggested that a tunnel would be a more effective solution.

He said: "It would obviously be much shorter because it can go in a straight line .

"In the north it could enter the city at the River Don and exit it at the River Dee.

"The only environmental impact would be at the entry and exit points of the tunnel."

Aberdeen's granite would not be an obstacle either, because Mr Hurst said it is ideal for a tunnel and would also produce much-needed aggregate.

Aberdeen's politicians and business leaders lobbying for a bypass said the tunnel is an idea worth looking at because it has potentially less impact on the environment.