Disputed bypass route to be announced

Published on 01/12/2005 00:07

TAVISH Scott, Scotland's transport minister, will today announce the Scottish Executive's choice for the route of the long-awaited Aberdeen bypass - 12 years after plans for the peripheral route were first drafted.

His decision, to be revealed this morning at Aberdeen's Town House, will determine the fate of a renowned centre for 200 children and adults with special needs on the outskirts of the city, which has been at the centre of the raging debate on the preferred route for the dual carriageway.

Nine months ago, when the final consultation stage on the five possible routes for the bypass was announced, it was made clear that the preferred choice by the Executive, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils was to drive the trunk road through the heart of the Camphill community at Newton Dee.

The threat to the community has sparked one of the most intense campaigns ever mounted in the North-east of Scotland against a transport development.