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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen bypass given green light | Aberdeen bypass given green light |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| The controversial Aberdeen bypass has been approved by ministers. | The controversial Aberdeen bypass has been approved by ministers. |
| The Scottish government has given the project the go-ahead after considering the findings of a local inquiry. | The Scottish government has given the project the go-ahead after considering the findings of a local inquiry. |
| Industry figures welcomed the decision on the £295m-£395m roads project, which is aimed at easing traffic and improving business in the north east. | Industry figures welcomed the decision on the £295m-£395m roads project, which is aimed at easing traffic and improving business in the north east. |
| But opponents have criticised the cost and the environmental impact of the 28-mile bypass. Campaign group Road Sense said it would take legal advice. | But opponents have criticised the cost and the environmental impact of the 28-mile bypass. Campaign group Road Sense said it would take legal advice. |
| The planned bypass is aimed at providing a fast link between towns to the north, west and south of Aberdeen. | The planned bypass is aimed at providing a fast link between towns to the north, west and south of Aberdeen. |
| This is the best possible early Christmas present for residents and businesses in the north east Brian AdamAberdeen North SNP MSP Timeline: Aberdeen bypass | This is the best possible early Christmas present for residents and businesses in the north east Brian AdamAberdeen North SNP MSP Timeline: Aberdeen bypass |
| Subject to all the approvals being met, work could get under way in 2011. | Subject to all the approvals being met, work could get under way in 2011. |
| Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "This has been a complex issue in which there has been a wide range of issues to consider. | Finance Secretary John Swinney said: "This has been a complex issue in which there has been a wide range of issues to consider. |
| "There has also been significant public interest in the proposed route, with clear arguments on both sides. | "There has also been significant public interest in the proposed route, with clear arguments on both sides. |
| "Having given careful consideration to the issues and arguments, I agree with the reporters' findings and reasoning, and with their recommendation to proceed with the bypass." | "Having given careful consideration to the issues and arguments, I agree with the reporters' findings and reasoning, and with their recommendation to proceed with the bypass." |
| He said the bypass was one of the most important infrastructure projects in the north east, bringing a range of substantial benefits to the region. | He said the bypass was one of the most important infrastructure projects in the north east, bringing a range of substantial benefits to the region. |
| Mr Swinney said it would reduce congestion in the heart of the city as well as remove thousands of vehicles from the area's rural roads. | Mr Swinney said it would reduce congestion in the heart of the city as well as remove thousands of vehicles from the area's rural roads. |
| Plans for the bypass have divided opinion in the north east | Plans for the bypass have divided opinion in the north east |
| Aberdeen North SNP MSP Brian Adam said it was the "best possible early Christmas present for residents and businesses in the north east". | Aberdeen North SNP MSP Brian Adam said it was the "best possible early Christmas present for residents and businesses in the north east". |
| Aberdeen Central Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald welcomed the decision, but called for assurances about project funding, no delays, and stressed the need for better rail and bus services. | Aberdeen Central Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald welcomed the decision, but called for assurances about project funding, no delays, and stressed the need for better rail and bus services. |
| And West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles said it was a "vital transport project". | And West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles said it was a "vital transport project". |
| Bob Collier, chief executive at Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: "Democracy has now run its course and we would ask any protest groups to think very carefully before taking any action that might delay this investment which has the full support of the vast majority of local businesses and residents." | Bob Collier, chief executive at Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said: "Democracy has now run its course and we would ask any protest groups to think very carefully before taking any action that might delay this investment which has the full support of the vast majority of local businesses and residents." |
| Tom Smith, chairman of Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future (Acsef), said: "Finally, we have the green light for the most strategic piece of infrastructure required in the region. The bypass is absolutely critical to our long-term economic future." | |
| Councillor Kevin Stewart, chairman of regional transport partnership Nestrans, described it as a "defining moment" for the local infrastructure. | Councillor Kevin Stewart, chairman of regional transport partnership Nestrans, described it as a "defining moment" for the local infrastructure. |
| Judicial review | |
| And Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) north east manager Ian Armstrong said it would "boost economic recovery and confidence". | And Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) north east manager Ian Armstrong said it would "boost economic recovery and confidence". |
| However, Road Sense spokeswoman Sheona Warnock said the group was extremely disappointed at the decision and expected there would be grounds for a legal challenge, including a judicial review. | However, Road Sense spokeswoman Sheona Warnock said the group was extremely disappointed at the decision and expected there would be grounds for a legal challenge, including a judicial review. |
| She predicted that would cause significant delays to the project. | She predicted that would cause significant delays to the project. |
| Public opinion led to a bypass inquiry last year | Public opinion led to a bypass inquiry last year |
| Friends of the Earth has joined Road Sense in claiming the building of the new road could mean Scotland failing to meet its climate change targets. | Friends of the Earth has joined Road Sense in claiming the building of the new road could mean Scotland failing to meet its climate change targets. |
| Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: "This Scottish government either doesn't understand climate change or doesn't care about it." | Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie said: "This Scottish government either doesn't understand climate change or doesn't care about it." |
| And Transform Scotland said the project would do nothing to address the key traffic congestion issue in Aberdeen. | And Transform Scotland said the project would do nothing to address the key traffic congestion issue in Aberdeen. |
| The Scottish government said the country could hold its head high at having the most ambitious climate change legislation in the world, and having the determination to implement the targets. | The Scottish government said the country could hold its head high at having the most ambitious climate change legislation in the world, and having the determination to implement the targets. |
| Campaigners also recently criticised the £51m cost of moving the International School of Aberdeen to make way for the road. | Campaigners also recently criticised the £51m cost of moving the International School of Aberdeen to make way for the road. |
| A long-running public inquiry was held in Aberdeen last year. The Scottish Government said the probe was necessary because of the public response. | A long-running public inquiry was held in Aberdeen last year. The Scottish Government said the probe was necessary because of the public response. |