An objection from transport giant Stagecoach could jeopardise multimillion-pound plans to overhaul Aberdeen’s most notorious bottleneck.
Construction on Transport Scotland’s £30million Haudagain scheme is due to begin before the end of 2017.
Improvement works will include creating a link road to avoid the busy roundabout.
But Stagecoach claims the plans do not do enough to “protect bus travel”.
And there are now fears the firm’s objection – which could lead to a public inquiry being held – could out the brakes on the long-awaited project.
A Staagecoach spokeswoman said: “This is a big opportunity for connectivity in the north-east, but we need a scheme that prioritises sustainable transport and improves travel for all users.
“The plans for the Haudagain roundabout as they stand will damage vital public transport.
“It will widen the gap between greener buses that help take vehicles off the road and cut air pollution, and travel by car, which studies show make less efficient use of road space.
“We have been involved in discussions about the Haudagain project since April 2015, raising our significant concerns about the impact on bus journey times, and we lodged a formal objection in November 2015.
“We believe there is an ideal opportunity to accommodate sustainable transport links, such as bus priority measures, whilst still improving journeys for all traffic.”
First Bus and Stagecoach both objected to proposals to close off Aberdeen’s Broad Street to all traffic, claiming it would hit their business.
Council bosses later admitted their objections may have swayed some councillors – amid concerns the firms would have challenged the decision and held up the city’s ambitious masterplan.
The local authority has already started moving tenants in the Middlefield areas whose homes would be demolished for the Haudagain project.
Mark McDonald, Aberdeen Donside MSP, said he was writing to Stagecoach asking for an urgent meeting about the objection.
He said: “I’m sure this news will give many people in Aberdeen unnecessary unease.”
Council finance convener Willie Young last night warned the planning could have all been for nothing if the objection cannot be resolved.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Effective engagement with affected parties is a key part of the statutory process for Haudagain.
“As with all projects of this nature, ministers will consider the outcome of all consultations and objections raised in reaching a decision.
“We have stated that improvements to the Haudagain will commence on completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) and we remain committed to that.”
