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Aberdeen City Council welcomes court ruling on AWPR

Aberdeen City Council today welcomed the Court of Session ruling on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Lord Tyre has rejected appeals by campaigners, who had argued that the public inquiry into the AWPR had been flawed.

Scottish Ministers gave the scheme the go-ahead in December 2009 following a lengthy public inquiry. But the scheme to build the 28-mile AWPR has been delayed by court proceedings at the Court of Session in Edinburgh following an appeal.

Today [Thurs 11 Aug] Aberdeen City Council Leader Councillor Callum McCaig said: “Today’s legal decision is excellent news for the whole of the North-east and should pave the way for work to finally begin on what is the single most important piece of infrastructure for the region.

“The road will transform our transportation system, make journeys into Aberdeen City and Shire quicker and easier, encourage business growth, and boost the local and the Scottish economy as a whole.

“The vast majority of North-east people want to see this scheme happen. It has now been the focus of exhaustive public debate for many years and I would appeal to the minority who are opposed to it to mount no further appeals and to let the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route go ahead.”

Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Convener Councillor Kate Dean said: “Today’s judgment is the right judgment, which should unlock not just the start of the AWPR but also work on the Haudagain roundabout and the 3rd Don Crossing to finally deal with the traffic congestion which affects our city.

“Everyone is desperate to see a fully modernised transport infrastructure in and around Aberdeen to match the vigour of our economy. We will now work with Aberdeenshire Council and the Scottish Government to get construction under way as soon as possible.”

Aberdeen City Council Chief Executive Valerie Watts said: “Today’s Court of Session ruling will, I hope, mark the end of the long debate on whether the road should go ahead and mark the start of this crucial route becoming a reality.

“It is a key part of the City and Shire’s Structure Plan, linking up major roads and opening up a huge amount of development potential. With the road in place, our already buoyant economy will continue to grow and prosper and contribute to the wellbeing of all our citizens for many years to come.”

The appellants had argued that the public inquiry procedure had been unfair because it was given an unreasonably restricted remit. There were also challenges based on obligations under the Habitats Directive.

The court has rejected the appellants’ arguments, ruling that Scottish ministers addressed all of the relevant requirements.

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