Transport chiefs will be grilled by a farmers union over claims the Aberdeen bypass has caused severe disruption to landowners across the north-east.
The National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) will meet with senior officials who have been involved in the planning and development of the £750million Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.
Representatives from Transport Scotland, Construction Joint Venture, the District Valuer Services, Sepa and land agents will all attend Ardennan House, Inverurie on Tuesday.
Among the issues the NFUS has promised to raise are concerns over fencing, drainage, access, claims and compensation.
Angus and Caroline McNicoll own Blakiewell Farm in Blairs, which is being separated by the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR).
The couple claim to have faced repeated issues with their tenant farmer being able to access both sides of their land.
And they have also raised a formal complaint with the district valuer regarding the amount of money they received when a section of their land was subject to a compulsory purchase order.
He said: “We have had quite a lot of support from NFUS and we know our issues will be raised, but like everyone else there’s a limit to what they can do.
“Transport Scotland really needs to learn lessons from what’s gone wrong with the AWPR when it comes to other projects like the dualling of the A9 or even the flyover at Laurencekirk.”
NFUS chief executive Scott Walker echoed Mr McNicoll’s views: She said: “From the start of the project we have spoken on behalf of members to find solutions and resolve disputes. There are many issues that are still causing significant problems for our members and the purpose of this meeting is to resolve these,” he said.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Transport Scotland has confirmed attendance at a meeting with NFU Scotland on 30 January. Aberdeen Roads Limited will also attend to seek to address the issues raised.
“We look forward to meeting with NFU Scotland and agreeing a way forward to address the concerns raised by its members.”
NFUS members who wish to raise an issue prior to the meeting, which starts at 1.30pm, should contact Lorna Paterson, the organisation’s regional manager, on 07786 860453 or lorna.paterson@nfus.org.uk
