Transport minister set to rule over Haudagain roundabout

SCOTLAND’S transport boss has cleared the way to make a decision on the future of Aberdeen’s worst traffic bottleneck.

The Evening Express revealed Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson wanted to wait until a decision had been made on plans for a third Don crossing before ruling on the fate of the Haudagain roundabout.

But following a meeting with Nestrans members, Mr Stevenson said he was satisfied with the council’s commitment to the third Don project.

He had previously said action to tackle traffic problems at Aberdeen’s Haudagain roundabout depended on the councils’ plans for a crossing.

Derick Murray, director of regional transport board Nestrans, said the minister had now told him it would be enough to confirm it was Aberdeen council policy to build the £14.5 million bridge.

The Aberdeen bridge would link the A90 Parkway to St Machar Drive, via Gordon’s Mills Road and Tillydrone Avenue.

Mr Murray said: “What the minister is looking for is that the policy is in place at Aberdeen City Council to build a third Don crossing.

“He wants to know that it is in the regional transport strategy, the local transport strategy and the local plan.

“We will be able to get this information to him fairly quickly.”

A Transport Scotland spokesman today confirmed Mr Stevenson was now satisfied with the councils’ commitment to the project and could make a decision on the Haudagain.

He said: “The transport minister made it clear the Scottish Government is committed to resolving the problems at the Haudagain roundabout once the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is completed.”

nevans@ajl.co.uk