An MP has called for pedestrians and cyclists to have the chance to walk and ride the Aberdeen Bypass for a day before it opens to cars.
More than a quarter of a million people applied for 50,000 people tickets for a walk in September across the new Queensferry Crossing.
Now Andrew Bowie, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, has written to the Scottish Government to suggest the idea should be copied for the north-east’s newest road.
He said: “I think that the event to mark the completion of the Queensferry Crossing was a great success, and I see no reason why something similar cannot happen once the AWPR is finished.
“This is a huge development for the north-east of Scotland, and has taken decades to come to fruition.
“It will provide significant economic benefits, although the construction project has not been without its problems.
“A public event just before the bypass opens to traffic could be a great way of celebrating the completion after so many years, and also foster a positive sense of ownership among local communities along the route.
“A number of ideas have been suggested to me, including a race from one end to the other, a sponsored walk for charity and the involvement of local bands and community groups.
“I think an open event would also provide a real insight into the scale of this engineering project, and the tremendous amount of work that has gone into it.”
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Humza Yousaf will be in the north-east later today to attend a business dinner.
Mr Yousaf will be attending a Scottish International Development dinner in Aberdeen.