Although I dare say we will be waiting another 10yrs for them to actually build the fucker:

 

Aberdeen bypass given green light

 

 

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. Industry figures welcomed the decision on the £295m-£395m 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. 

 

The planned bypass is aimed at providing a fast link between towns to the north, west and south of Aberdeen.  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. "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."  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.

 

 

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. 

 

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."

 

 

Councillor Kevin Stewart, chairman of regional transport partnership Nestrans, described it as a "defining moment" for the local infrastructure. 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. She predicted that would cause significant delays to the project. 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." 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.  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. Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/8424142.stm

 

The problem is lack of people getting involved in politics. Scotland has less people elected and less people even standing for elections than pretty much any developed nations. End result is constant diddies in positions of power who are free to go on being diddies because electorate have no choices, no interest and no influence.

Another attempt by the City Council to delay the by-pass?

 

Council wants to spend Aberdeen bypass cash on schools

Call for rethink on Aberdeen’s AWPR contribution

 

By Niamh Burns

 

Published: 15/04/2013

 

ABERDEEN City Council wants to spend cash earmarked for the bypass on new schools.

 

Aberdeen council chiefs wrote to Transport Minister Keith Brown two weeks ago to demand a rethink on the city’s contribution.

 

Aberdeen City Council finance convener Willie Young said the administration was still willing to provide the original donation of between £26 million and £30m. But he said the added cost put on to the city’s share should be given back and spent on education.

 

Aberdeen City Council is expected to contribute £75m towards the costs.

 

WORK on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is set to be completed ahead of schedule.

 

The AWPR was due for completion in spring 2018, however, the Scottish Government today revealed that the project will now be finished in winter 2017.

 

Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, Keith Brown, made the announcement in Aberdeen today.

 

Mr Brown also revealed that Connect Roads has been awarded the main construction contract for the AWPR/Balmedie-Tipperty (B-T) work.

 

Mr Brown said: “Since overcoming all the legal challenges back in October 2012, we have done all we can to accelerate the procurement and construction of the AWPR/B-T.

 

“Following the shortest procurement processes for a contract of this size and complexity – it has been just 23 months since the contract was put to the market – we have now been able to also bring the completion date forward to winter 2017.”

 

Leader of Aberdeen City Council Jenny Laing said: “I am sure the people in the North-east will be delighted to learn that this hugely significant project is progressing and that we are another step closer to the delivery of the much-needed AWPR.”

 

Leader of Aberdeenshire Council Jim Gifford added: “It is very satisfying to reach this stage of the tender process.”

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/1010492/first-section-of-long-awaited-aberdeen-bypass-opens-to-public/

 

First section now open.

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen/1010492/first-section-of-long-awaited-aberdeen-bypass-opens-to-public/

 

First section now open.

 

Can't wait to get stuck at those traffic lights, pictured, with no other cars within a 2 mile radius.

Can't wait to get stuck at those traffic lights, pictured, with no other cars within a 2 mile radius.

 

Sounds like you need to raise your excitement threshold.

Sounds like you need to raise your excitement threshold.

 

Surely a lower excitement threshold is better for me? Generally happier, and able to jizz quicker, fit could be better? 

 

Edit: Aye, I'm nae talking semen-velocity here, which is not affected by excitement threshold. More the time it takes to produce, meaning I can fit in a quick chuffter atween the office and the car park, the car park and the traffic lights, the traffic lights and the next traffic lights, and so on.

Thought I'd bring this back, seeing as it's been a while.

 

Does anyone have any idea how long it will be until this opens?

 

I did read something a while ago about it apparently being open by the end of the year, but that was seen to be highly unrealistic.

 

Any update photos appreciated too

Thought I'd bring this back, seeing as it's been a while.

 

Does anyone have any idea how long it will be until this opens?

 

I did read something a while ago about it apparently being open by the end of the year, but that was seen to be highly unrealistic.

 

Any update photos appreciated too

if you drive close to it which I frequently do. Hard to see it being ready by year end, but equally it's pretty close now. Bridge over south deeside road being one of the last major pieces still being finished off.

 

if you drive close to it which I frequently do. Hard to see it being ready by year end, but equally it's pretty close now. Bridge over south deeside road being one of the last major pieces still being finished off.

 

Went past that last night, only has one section left, so will finish next wik (believe they do one section per week as they wait for it to dry).

 

Otherwise, think it's on target for about March/April next year, with parts maybe open before that. Think the original schedule was June next year, then they made some ground and set a target of December this year, before pushing it back again. Be interesting to see it when it's done, although it winna effect me until Kingsford opens.

Went past that last night, only has one section left, so will finish next wik (believe they do one section per week as they wait for it to dry).

 

Otherwise, think it's on target for about March/April next year, with parts maybe open before that. Think the original schedule was June next year, then they made some ground and set a target of December this year, before pushing it back again. Be interesting to see it when it's done, although it winna effect me until Kingsford opens.

If I still have a job then I think it will help me, Garlogie > Portweegie for work, so at the moment I'm planning to drive to Kingsford, get onto the AWPR there and head across to Charleston, and then doon the A90 from there. I think it'll be quicker, and I think it'll be shorter instead of zigzagging through Culter & Blairs, but time will tell.

If I still have a job then I think it will help me, Garlogie > Portweegie for work, so at the moment I'm planning to drive to Kingsford, get onto the AWPR there and head across to Charleston, and then doon the A90 from there. I think it'll be quicker, and I think it'll be shorter instead of zigzagging through Culter & Blairs, but time will tell.

 

I do the opposite journey quite regularly, I reckon the Blairs route will still be as quick. Unless the arse end of Badentoy is connected in anyway to the new road, then it might be fine. I'm assuming it will be, so you could either go into Badentoy if that's where ye are, or go across the ASDA flyover and in if you work in the town itself. There's definitely a slip road on to it from Banchory Devenick, but I haven't worked out if you can come off the road and onto the back roads behind the Devenick Dairy. That way, you could come out at hillside and head into Portlethen that way. It's nae obvious, and difficult to find the route on the transportScotland/AWPR page (it takes more than 1 minute, so I can't be airsed). Hope yiv still got a job to go to though given it's only 6 months away.

I do the opposite journey quite regularly, I reckon the Blairs route will still be as quick. Unless the arse end of Badentoy is connected in anyway to the new road, then it might be fine. I'm assuming it will be, so you could either go into Badentoy if that's where ye are, or go across the ASDA flyover and in if you work in the town itself. There's definitely a slip road on to it from Banchory Devenick, but I haven't worked out if you can come off the road and onto the back roads behind the Devenick Dairy. That way, you could come out at hillside and head into Portlethen that way. It's nae obvious, and difficult to find the route on the transportScotland/AWPR page (it takes more than 1 minute, so I can't be airsed). Hope yiv still got a job to go to though given it's only 6 months away.

Aye there appears to be possibilities of slip roads before going as far as Charleston, but at the moment none too clear. Will have to wait and see. Would also help if they'd open that blocked off road at the top of Badentoy Ind.Est. instead of the 2.5mile detour through Portweegie and up the back again. 

Having just taken the virtual flyover, seems after Kingswells roundabout, there's no exit until Cleanhill Roundabout that takes you to Charleston, and then nothing again until Stonehaven.

Well that's fairly shite. I'd have thought that Portlethen would have made sense, especially given the extension of hoosing at Elsick. Ah well, back roads it is I'd have thought.

Well that's fairly shite. I'd have thought that Portlethen would have made sense, especially given the extension of hoosing at Elsick. Ah well, back roads it is I'd have thought.

 

They’ve deliberately not provided access from Elsick as they don’t want folk traipsing through Chapelton to join the AWPR.

 

Sounds right about there being no exit between Stoney and Charleston though.

So it looks like Summer before this is open.

 

Anyone have any idea if this is looking likely?

 

There seems to be a bit more action on it again than there has been in recent months. Weather and the Carillion collapse will obviously limit work. 

"Summer" is quite a broad timeline, which suggests that they've nae real idea. When it first started they said June this year, but then - as if to capitalise on some political bonus - they brought it forward and then slightly back again. Not sure why they needed to bring dates forward at all, as it would have looked a lot better had they stuck with the original June date. It's a bit like saying your going to win the league when you're three points ahead in October. Idiots. Anyway, it looks fairly well on like. They seem to be at the tarmac-ing stage on the vast majority of the road, which should mean an X days at X miles per day type scenario from here on in, but I suspect that there are other road-based paraphernalia to be added that'll fuck things up.

They’re now saying Autumn. What a fucking joke. Some sections (Airport to Culter) are apparently almost complete but there’s a whole bridge over the Don behind the airport with a big gap in it.

 

Hope they can open some of it before autumn.

I'd settle for getting the dualler between Balmedie and Ellon open. The rest of it can wait. 

I'd settle for getting the dualler between Balmedie and Ellon open. The rest of it can wait. 

 

Christ. Where do you live - Royston Vassey?

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/may/22/galliford-try-warns-extra-costs-aberdeen-bypass?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

 

Was the weather really that bad?! 

Basically no winter at all.

 

I was away the week it snowed but it was only a week I was away, no snow left when I came back.

 

 

I know that a whole week is more than we've had the past couple of years but fuck sake min.

Firstly, were they not aware that the weather might be cold particularly between November and February?

 

Secondly, the weather has very rarely been particularly cold over this winter.

 

In conclusion this is just a load of buck-passing nonsense.

Firstly, were they not aware that the weather might be cold particularly between November and February?

 

Secondly, the weather has very rarely been particularly cold over this winter.

 

In conclusion this is just a load of buck-passing nonsense.

 

There was actually another news story on the BBC this morning suggesting that Aberdeen had an unprecedented >100 days below zero this winter and that the cooncil spent £600K over on their budget for road gritting, so it probably isn't nonsense (if gritters are required, then I'd expect road building would be difficult). Here's the EE take on it:

 

https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/news/local/plan-for-20-large-scale-community-grit-bins-to-help-with-severe-winter/

 

What's interesting about the Guardian story, is that it doesn't say who's liable for the cost. It looks like it's just the company informing their shareholders rather than an increased debt of the Scottish government. In which case, excellent contracting, for once.