CONSTRUCTION of the Aberdeen bypass project has fallen almost a year behind schedule.
The Balmedie to Tipperty section of the AWPR was due to open next spring but has now been delayed until winter 2017-2018.
Contractors for the £745 million project told Transport Scotland it would not meet the target date.
The contractor has now formally advised Transport Scotland that the timetable has been revised to the following winter as it has not completed key earthworks prior to the winter period.
In a letter to the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, Economy Secretary Keith Brown reaffirmed that the remainder of the Aberdeen bypass is still due to open in spring 2018.
The AWPR was held up for several years due to a legal challenge from a campaigner in the north-east, who took the case to the UK Supreme Court.
Scottish Conservative MSP for the north-east region, Liam Kerr, said: “People in the north-east have been waiting for a long time for the Aberdeen bypass to open, and will be disappointed to hear about this substantial delay to a key section of the route.
“There have already been issues with the construction of the AWPR, including problems with compensation for farmers who suffered damage to their land, and pollution concerns over run-off into the River Dee.
“Now the Minister has been forced into an admission that the Balmedie-Tipperty dualling has been pushed back by almost a year."
Scottish Government spokesman said: “The contractor, Aberdeen Roads Limited, has not completed seasonally dependant earthworks on the Balmedie-Tipperty section in advance of this winter. They will recommence these key earthworks after the winter period.”
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