First Minister calls for an end to road protest

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond has accused anti-bypass campaigners of “holding Scotland to ransom” following their decision to mount a fresh legal challenge against the £400 million Aberdeen bypass.

He warned that William Walton, the chairman of the RoadSense campaign, risks becoming “one of the most disliked” people in the country by holding up the long-awaited route.

Mr Salmond launched his scathing attack on the protest group after it was revealed court action by RoadSense has already cost the public purse £1.1m. Last month it appeared the way had finally been cleared for work to begin on the 28-mile bypass after a Court of Session judge threw out a previous appeal. But RoadSense announced plans to press for an appeal at the Inner House of the Court of Session.

An online petition, urging the campaign group to drop its opposition has already attracted almost 15,000 signatures.

Mr Salmond said: “There has been a public inquiry, two years ago, which came down in favour of the route. At that stage Mr Walton should have said, ‘We have had our argument heard’ and should have accepted the overwhelming opinion.”