Bypass legal challenge rejected

The bypass is aimed at easing traffic and improving business

A legal challenge mounted by protesters over the remit of the Aberdeen bypass public inquiry has been rejected.

The campaigners highlighted legislation at the start of the inquiry which they claimed required it to consider options other than a new road.

But the two Reporters rejected the challenge after taking legal advice.

They ruled it was a matter for the Scottish Government, and widening the inquiry could also impact on the cost and timescale of the project.

The inquiry at the Hilton Aberdeen Treetops Hotel could run until December.

The bypass is aimed at easing traffic and improving business.

The Scottish Government said the probe was necessary because of the thousands of public responses received.

Dozens of protesters used shop dummies at the start of the inquiry to illustrate their claims the inquiry is just "window dressing" by Scottish ministers.