Scottish ministers were under fresh pressure to bring forward plans to end gridlock at one of the nation’s most congested roundabouts yesterday.
Labour’s Lewis Macdonald, MSP for the north-east, continued to question the decision to delay the start of work until the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route has been completed at the end of 2017.
Transport chiefs said yesterday that the construction phase was expected to take two years, and believe that a public inquiry may be required to consider objections.
Mr Macdonald said: “The Haudagain has been a thorn in the side of Aberdeen drivers and commuters for too long, and it is welcome news that progress is finally being made.
“However, Scottish ministers should do all they can to bring forward the start date for work on the Haudagain, which is not currently slated to begin until completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route in 2018.”
He added: “Local residents and drivers should take the chance to attend the public exhibition and give their views on the proposals.
“Everyone in Aberdeen has an opinion on the Haudagain, and this is an opportunity to make sure those opinions count.”
Transport Minister Derek Mackay said the unveiling of detailed plans for the Haudagain yesterday proved the Scottish Government’s commitment to improving north-east transport infrastructure was “steadfast”.
“Having let local communities view and comment on the scheme’s preferred route last year, draft road orders for the scheme are now published,” he said.
“This will ensure we are ready to hit the ground running and start work at Haudagain once the AWPR is complete, with construction at Haudagain expected to take around two years.
“Today’s news will I’m sure be met with jubilation and relief in equal measure by road users across the region – with work on Haudagain now in sight, the kind of congestion seen daily at Haudagain will before long be a thing of the past.”