Aberdeen political and business leaders have called on the Scottish Government to “come clean” on when the £750 million AWPR will be fully open. There has been mounting frustration in the north-east, with no firm dates set for the full opening of the massive project.
In the wake of a festival event that saw a stretch temporarily opened to cyclists, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon herself made an embarrassing gaffe by confusing that with the opening of the entire route.
Transport chiefs were forced to quickly deny that any part of the bypass was due to open that weekend, or that the timetable for completion had slipped from the official ‘late autumn’ target.
Martin Reid, of the Road Haulage Association, has demanded answers from the government on behalf of the industry, saying drivers are becoming confused and that firms are struggling to plan.
He said: “It’s to the benefit of everyone that the road is open as quickly as possible and when that will be.
“I don’t know the ins-and-outs of why the official date hasn’t been announced but I have asked.
VIDEO: Watch the difference this newly-dualled stretch of the AWPR has made to rush-hour traffic
“One of our members was confused by the opening of just one section, thinking it was the whole stretch.”
Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: “Ensuring local businesses have the ability to plan appropriately is an important part of unlocking the full economic benefit the AWPR will bring to our area. “Faster journey times, improved connectivity and increased business productivity are the prize, but it will require a change in behaviour from all road users.
“Clarity on an opening date will help achieve that.” Aberdeen City Council co-leader, Douglas Lumsden, believes it is past time that the city’s people knew when the road will come into use.
He said: “The people of Aberdeen have contributed £75 million to this long overdue project. “Despite being a partner in the project, along with Aberdeenshire Council which also contributed £75 million, neither councils have been told of the opening date. “They must come clean about when it will actually be open.“ Council transport spokesman Ross Grant said the lack of answers was “simply unacceptable” and called for clarity.
Leader of Aberdeenshire Council Jim Gifford, meanwhile, added: “We all know the huge benefits the AWPR will bring to the region. It will greatly improve transport links, reduce journey times and improve consistency of travel times across Aberdeenshire – especially to the west and north of the City.
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“Motorists, businesses and local residents have endured years of disruption during construction and have been very patient and understanding. Now they want to know when it will be finished.
“Many people will find it difficult to understand why Transport Scotland cannot simply set a date for a full opening to all traffic.” Liam Kerr, Scottish Conservative MSP for the north-east region, echoed that view, saying: “It is not good enough at this late stage to continue to say that the road will open in late Autumn.
“Drivers can see for themselves that the road is basically complete.
“It surely cannot be beyond the wit of Transport Scotland and the contractor to set an opening date.
“It seems this is all about avoiding bad headlines for the SNP– given the Tipperty-Balmedie stretch was a year late and the overall project was supposed to be finished by Spring this year.”
Aberdeen Inspired chief executive Adrian Watson said steps were being taken now to decide how road use will change once AWPR is open.
It’s hoped the city centre will see something of a rejuvenation, with reduced traffic, congestion and improved air quality.
He said: “This will allow us to properly model/assess the impact of the AWPR and how this plays through into a revised city roads hierarchy, ultimately providing us with some rich data to make informed decisions on how we want our city centre to look in terms of vehicular traffic and/or pedestrian friendly areas – in keeping with the masterplan.”
A Transport Scotland spokesman stressed that the road would be open its entirety by the end of the year.
He said: “Councillor Lumsden recently had an opportunity to see the project for himself during the very successful road festival held earlier this month.
“Transport Scotland is looking forward to delivering the benefits of the new road at the earliest opportunity. “We have made it clear to the contractor that the road should open as soon as it is safe to do so and they will not receive payment for sections until it is open to traffic.
“Transport Scotland will provide advance notice to road users prior to the opening date. “The AWPR/B-T project is on schedule to open by late Autumn this year.”
What’s the benefit of the AWPR?
The long-awaited Aberdeen bypass is expected to provide massive benefits to travellers across the north-east and beyond.
The AWPR has been more than 50 years in the making, with post war planners first discussing the need for the expanding city to have a new bypass to replace Anderson Drive, which was becoming a normal city road.
When the hundreds of miles of roadway are finally fully opened to drivers it will mean fewer drive directly through the Granite City – which should lead to cleaner air and less pollution.
Some key areas of the city have been found to be among the most polluted in Scotland due to the volume of lorries and other heavy vehicles using the routes.
Along with other traffic-busting measures like the third Don Crossing and the under-construction Berryden Corridor and Haudagain bypass, it is believed this will mean much easier access for frustrated north-east motorists.
A new roads hierarchy is already being drawn up in Aberdeen, with council chiefs busy working out how major routes will change with the coming of the £750 million road.
In June, the first stretch of the massive Scottish Government funded project was opened between Parkhill, near Dyce, and Blackdog.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said at the time: “The section between Parkhill and Blackdog opened successfully and traffic moved well.
“It was our intention to open new sections of road as they become available and we are doing just that.
“The AWPR will provide thousands of drivers every day with a range of benefits, including reduced journey times, improved journey time reliability, better local access and reduced congestion, while safety will also be enhanced.”
