Shock new delay over Aberdeen’s Haudagain plan

A DECISION on the fate of Aberdeen’s worst bottleneck will not be taken until a ruling is made on a new crossing over the River Don.

Scotland’s transport supremo said his decision on improving the Haudagain roundabout depended on plans for a third Don crossing.

But, today Stewart Stevenson was accused of using the bridge as an “excuse” for delaying taking action at the congestion hotspot.

And a leading councillor claimed the move could delay regeneration plans for parts of Aberdeen.

When Aberdeen’s bypass was given approval by Finance Secretary John Swinney, Mr Stevenson said the Scottish Government would turn its attention to tackling the Haudagain roundabout

But today Mr Stevenson said no decision could be made about the Haudagain roundabout until the bridge plan was ruled on.

The Transport Minister said: “I’m sure the city council wouldn’t want us to make any decision about the design in the absence of what the Don crossing strategy turns out to be.

“I’m hoping that a conclusion is reached on that subject relatively soon so we can make the progress we want to make.

“We need to understand whether it is or is not going to be there. Otherwise we make a choice based on something that turns out not to happen.”

Aberdeen City Council planning convener Kate Dean said: “As far as I’m concerned there was never any suggestion that the crossing application would have to be determined first.”

Mrs Dean admitted a decision might not be made on the bridge until the end of the year.

dewen@ajl.co.uk