SNP candidates in Aberdeen have hit out at the city’s Labour-led council over a “triple whammy” of delayed projects and cost increases.
The new art museum in Northfield has been hit by further delays as the cost of the project has doubled.
It was due to open in 2014, but is now not expected to open until July this year.
The Third Don Crossing is currently running at £3million over budget, and is being delivered over six months late. The townhouse renovation is £2.3million over budget and is racking up a nine month delay.
The SNP candidates vying to be re-elected to represent Aberdeen in Holyrood – Mark McDonald, Maureen Watt and Kevin Stewart – issued a joint statement.
It reads: “It is quite clear when Labour are left to run any kind of project that they simply fail to add up their numbers.
“Given that the finance convener in the city is trying to become an MSP but can’t run a council budget – it will be hard for the people of Aberdeen to trust him to represent them at Holyrood – or any of their candidates for that matter.”
But finance convener Willie Young hit back at the nationalists.
He said: “It’s ridiculous for the SNP to try and score cheap political points while this Labour-led administration is in the process of delivering the biggest programme of regeneration in the city’s history.
“After all, the SNP’s own councillors voted just this week with Labour to call for a better financial settlement from the Scottish Government.”
