Schools funds 'must be saved' from bypass

A COUNCILLOR yesterday called for funding for schools in Aberdeenshire to be ring fenced to prevent the money being used to help pay for the Aberdeen bypass.

Finance secretary John Swinney told the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday that work on the 28-mile Aberdeen western peripheral route will at last begin next year.

Opposition MSPs claim the final bill for the bypass will be far higher than the current estimated cost of 295 million to 395m and have raised concerns over how Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils, each committed to paying 9.5 per cent of the bill, will be able to fund the scheme.

Martin Ford, the Democratic Independent Aberdeenshire councillor, has now tabled a formal notice of motion for next week's council meeting, demanding the authority does not divert schools funding to help meet its share.