Aberdeen City Council is locked in talks with government transport bosses as it pursues its case for compensation after taking on responsibility for additional roads.
Since the AWPR was completed, some 25 miles of the roads network – including sections of the A92 (previously A90) and A96 roads – have been transferred to the local authority.
The ruling Conservative, Aberdeen Labour and independent administration said more cash would be needed from Holyrood to cover the extra responsibility, which equates to an estimated cost of £770,000 a year.
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But the group has faced been previously criticism for not considering the new roads bill when it slashed £500,000 from its roads repairs pot as part of budget cuts.
Last night councillor Tom Mason insisted it would be “unfair” for the council to foot the full bill – while the Lib Dems argued the road should have been handed back in a “reasonable standard” after talks on any outstanding repairs were held.
Mr Mason, who is also a North East Conservative MSP, said: “It would be unfair if the council was landed with a huge bill for roads maintenance at a time when budgets are being squeezed by the SNP.
“There should be some flexibility to ensure at the very least that any repairs necessary are carried out before responsibility is handed over.
City centre traffic in Aberdeen has halved in the three months since bypass opened
“The SNP government continually short-changes the north-east – and the city council is right to take a stand on this issue.”
Opposition Liberal Democrat infrastructure spokesman Steve Delaney added: “It’s only fair and reasonable that the roads should have been handed back to the council in a reasonable standard with any defects identified and agreed in advance and the full cost of making these good, transferred to the council.
“Unfortunately numerous delays, all of which were outwith the council’s control resulted in there being little time to agree and carry out this process.
“It is therefore perfectly reasonable for the council to seek to cover our outlays for the current financial year.
“Otherwise this is yet another case of Aberdeen being short changed by the SNP Scottish Government”.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Regular meetings are being held between the local authorities and our technical advisers to agree the final one-off settlement figure.
“This approach has been agreed with the local authorities.”
