This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route
04/03/2005
The public consultation on the Aberdeen Western
Peripheral Route was launched today.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen announced the dates and
details of a series of staffed exhibitions which will tour
the city and Aberdeenshire.
It will start next week in the Bridge of Don and finish
in Stonehaven on March 31.
Following that, the exhibition material only will be on
display at the Cowdray Hall, Aberdeen until April 22.
The closing date for the consultation is April 29. It
gives details of the route between Camphill and Newton Dee
which was inherited from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
Councils and four others.
The alternative routes are through Pitfodels, Milltimber
Brae and two options to the west of Peterculter, one via
Netherley and the other via Charleston.
A decision on the preferred route will be taken once the
responses to the consultation have been considered.
The Minister said:
"Local people have campaigned long and hard for the
Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.
"The road is a key part of the proposed integrated
transport network for the North East.
"It will significantly reduce congestion and give a
significant boost to the local economy. The Executive
remains determined it should proceed.
"There has been much debate about a preferred route,
particularly in relation to the impact on the Camphill and
Newton Dee communities.
"I have listened to their concerns and I want to make
sure there is an open, well informed consultation. I would
encourage everyone to express their views before the
closing date of April 29th.
"A lot of work has been done to prepare the information
for these exhibitions. There are some difficult decisions
that lie ahead if an alternative to the Murtle route is
chosen.
"Once the consultation has finished, I can guarantee
that all responses will be carefully considered before a
final decision is taken."
The new route is intended to bring a number of benefits
to the North East, including cutting congestion and
reducing pollution, improving safety and increasing
business opportunities.
Councillor Kate Dean, Leader of Aberdeen City
Council, said:
"Congestion continues to stifle the economic
comptetiveness and quality of life in the region. The
building of the AWPR as a trunk road has all party support
within the City Council.
"We urge citizens to attend the roadshows, inspect the
plans, get answers to their questions and then submit their
views. Fifteen thousand citizens signed a petition to the
Scottish Parliament asking for the road to be built - now
is the time for them to have an input into the debate of
which is the best route."
The range of outturn costs (estimated cost at
completion of project) for the five routes are:
- Murtle route £210 - £280 million
- Pitfodels £245 -£335 million
- Milltimber Brae £265- £365 million
- Peterculter/Charleston £270 -£370 million
- Stonehaven/West of Peterculter £290 million - £405
million
Once a decision is taken it is estimated that the Murtle
route could be completed in 2010. Other routes could be
completed in 2011.
The schedule for the public exhibitions is as
follows:
Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre -
Thursday, March 10
Old Mill Inn, Maryculter March 10, 11, 14.
Westhill Church Hall Friday, March 11.
Inverurie Town Hall, Main Hall - Monday March 14.
Peterculter Village Hall - Tuesday March 15.
Cults East Church - March 16, 17.
Peterhead Council Chamber - Thursday, March 17.
Dyce Community Centre - Friday March 18.
The Merc Hotel, Ellon - Tuesday March 22.
The Burnett Arms, Banchory - Tuesday, March 22.
Webster Park, Kingswells - Wednesday, March 23.
Altens Community Centre - Thursday, March 24.
Newmachar - Tuesday, March 29.
St Leonard's Hotel, Stonehaven - Thursday, March 31.
Cowdray Hall April 4-8, 11-13, 15, 19, 20, and 22.