Inquiry into Aberdeen bypass plan

North leg (orange), south (green), fast link (purple) and junctions

A public inquiry into the proposed Aberdeen bypass will be held next year, ministers have announced.

The Scottish Government said that on the basis of 8,000 objections received so far there was a clear need to consider these formally.

Consultation is still running and closes on 26 October but a dedicated e-mail address has also been set up.

A completion date of 2012 has been targeted for the bypass, which aims to ease traffic and improve business.

Changes to the 28-mile proposed route were published last month, including a reduction in the number of houses to be demolished.

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route would run from Charleston, near Stonehaven, to Blackdog, north of Aberdeen, with a fast link between Stonehaven and Milltimber.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "The objection period for the road and compulsory purchase orders has another two weeks to run.

"It is important that people who wish to submit objections do so within that timeframe."

Web comments

Locals can also comment through the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route project website.

The proposed route will cost between £295m and £395m and the plans have already attracted thousands of objections.

Road Sense, a group campaigning against the bypass, welcomed the announcement.

Member, Sheona Warnock, said: "We feel we are in with a really good chance of defeating these proposals at a public inquiry."

Aberdeen Central Labour MSP, Lewis Macdonald, said: "We recognise that a local inquiry is the best way to address the many objections received.

"However, I would hope that the inquiry proceeds as quickly as possible and ministers then make a quick and concise decision on the best way forward."

Transport Scotland said comments could be sent to [e-mail] and that feedback and expressions of support could be sent using the feedback form on www.awpr.co.uk, or in writing to Transport Scotland.