Chamber and committees

The current cost estimate for the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is in the range £295 million to £395 million. The estimate is based on the risks as currently identified but we will continue to monitor this in light of prevailing tender prices for road contracts. As with all schemes, the cost estimate for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will be reviewed once the statutory procedures are completed and prior to the commencement of the procurement process.

Yes.

None.

Various consultations have taken place in relation to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route during which the public were invited to provide comment.

During the period when alternative corridors were under consideration, consultation took place with a wide range of statutory and non-statutory bodies, seeking comment in respect of the various alternatives identified, which included the Milltimber Brae corridor and the Fastlink as a component of the Peterculter/Stonehaven corridor.

During the public consultation held in spring 2005, the public were invited to comment in respect of the various alternatives identified, which included the Milltimber Brae corridor and the Fastlink as a component of the Peterculter/Stonehaven corridor.

The publication of draft orders in December 2006 and September 2007 marked the start of formal statutory consultation periods in respect of the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. During the statutory consultation periods the public had the opportunity to comment in respect of the proposals, including the opportunity to object to the published scheme should they be so minded.

In terms of the public local inquiry, there was extensive consideration of the Milltimber Brae and Fastlink route for the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is being promoted under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 which sets out the requirements for publication of draft road orders, receipt of objections and consideration of these in the forum of a public local inquiry. The Scottish ministers are currently considering the public local inquiry reporters findings and recommendations prior to deciding whether or not to proceed with the scheme. The final decision on approval will rest with the Scottish Parliament.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26013 on 13 August 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26001 on 13 August 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Various consultations have taken place in relation to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route during which consultees and the public were provided the opportunity to comment on various issues including carbon impact and impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

Throughout the scheme development process consultation took place with a wide range of statutory and non-statutory bodies, seeking comment on various issues, including inter-alia, carbon impact and impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

During the public consultation held in spring 2005 the public were invited to make comment on any issues, including inter-alia, carbon impact and impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

The publication of draft orders in December 2006 and September 2007 marked the start of formal statutory consultation periods in respect of the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. An Environmental Statement was published at the same time as the draft orders. The public had the opportunity to comment on the published scheme and also on the information contained in the Environmental Statement which included details on air quality.

In terms of the public local inquiry, there was specific consideration of carbon impact and impact on greenhouse gas emissions relating to the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Transport Scotland has responded in detail to the issues Road Sense has raised in their complaint. We believe that Road Sense''s allegation of breach of the requirements of the preamble and various articles of the Aarhus Convention is unfounded.

Alternative solutions such as tunnels have been considered, both as part of scheme development and where such proposals were submitted by parties objecting to the proposed scheme. Details of these engineering solutions can be found in the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route report on the assessment of alternative proposals and the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route paper on River Dee tunnels. Both of these documents were lodged as inquiry documents and are available from the public local inquiry website at www.awpr-pli.org.