Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer given to question S3W-13576 on 9 June 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The decision on the route for the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route was based on the information noted in reports listed below:

Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, Development of Preferred Route Initial Assessment Stage Report.

Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, Development of Preferred Route Final Assessment Stage Report.

Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, Project Development 2005-06 Consolidation Assessment Report.

These reports were made available from autumn 2006 on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route website at:

http://www.awpr.co.uk/document_archive.asp?command=OpenFolder&folder=&file=Documents+and+Reports.

The reports also identify procedures and criteria adopted to determine the route for the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. Further information was provided in the form of evidence to the recent public local inquiry, in the precognitions of Mr A Graham, Mr J Wilson, Mr R Galbraith and Dr S Henderson. These, and all other precognitions lodged during the inquiry, are available from the inquiry website at:

http://www.awpr-pli.org/document_library.asp?command=OpenFolder&folder=Precognitions%5CFull+Precognitions%5C&file=Transport+Scotland.

The report of the public local inquiry into the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route was received by Scottish ministers on 30 June 2009.

The matter is currently under active consideration and a decision will be announced as soon as possible. The report of the inquiry will be made fully available at that time.

The current cost estimate for the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is in the range £295 million to £395 million. The estimate is based on the risks as currently identified but we will continue to monitor this in light of prevailing tender prices for road contracts. As with all schemes, the cost estimate for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will be reviewed once the statutory procedures are completed and prior to the commencement of the procurement process.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26037 on 13 August 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Yes.

Scottish ministers accepted the need in principle for the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route based on the findings of the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) study of alternative transport strategies, carried out by NESTRANS in 2002. The various reports of this study were previously available on Aberdeenshire Council''s website, and the outcomes of this study were documented in the report Delivering a Modern Transport System for North East Scotland, which can be found at http://www.awpr-pli.org/downloads/Documents/Core%20Documents/CD08.PDF.

Scottish ministers confirmed in their statement on transport to Parliament on 27 June 2007 that the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is vital to the north east and that they were committed to its delivery.

The report of the public local inquiry into the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route was received by Scottish ministers on 30 June 2009.

The matter is currently under active consideration and a decision will be announced as soon as possible. It would not be appropriate at this stage to make any further comment which could be prejudicial to the eventual outcome.

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is being promoted under the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 which sets out the requirements for publication of draft road orders, receipt of objections and consideration of these in the forum of a public local inquiry. The Scottish ministers are currently considering the public local inquiry reporters findings and recommendations prior to deciding whether or not to proceed with the scheme. The final decision on approval will rest with the Scottish Parliament.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26020 on 13 June 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.