The Scottish Government has been urged to give an update on compensation claims being sought by the builders of the new Aberdeen bypass.
North East Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald has tabled a question at Holyrood asking ministers to outline the latest position after construction company, Galliford Try said there was a “significant claim” against the government.
The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) contractors have claimed they are hundreds of millions of pounds out of pocket as a result of extra spending on the £745million project and are seeking compensation.
Mr Macdonald said: “It is clearly in the taxpayers’ interest to have full transparency from the Scottish Government on this issue.
“Managing Director at Balfour Beatty, Stephen Tarr, confirmed to the Scottish Parliament Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee in December 2018 that the cost of delivering the project was over a billion pounds.
“Now, the other Aberdeen Roads Limited partner, Galliford Try, has told the stock market that it has a ‘significant claim’ with the Scottish Government, and that if the negotiations fail, it will pursue legal action.
“If SNP Ministers are prepared to pay more than the £745 million they have told Parliament they will pay, it is important that Parliament and the public know how much taxpayers’ money they are prepared to pay to keep their case out of court”.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “The cost of the project remains at £745 million. While it is not appropriate to comment in detail on the contractor’s claim due to the commercially confidential nature of the discussions regarding it, we can confirm that Aberdeen Roads Limited has yet to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate its claim.
“We will of course continue to keep Parliament and the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee updated in terms of any new developments, as we have done throughout the process.”
