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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.

Information on the application of Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) is provided in the STAG document, which is accessible via the Transport Scotland website at:

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/reports/publications-and-guidance/corporate/j9760-00.htm.

Compliance with the requirements of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) is the norm for road and bridge projects. The DMRB contains both guidance and standards, together with a procedure for considering where departures from standards may be appropriate.

A range of preparatory work has been undertaken during the development of the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. Similar to other trunk road projects this has included scheme development, environmental impact assessment, consultation with statutory and non-statutory bodies, publication of statutory documentation, topographical surveys, ground investigations and acquisition of property by voluntary agreement.

The cost of preparatory work undertaken up to the end of June 2009, including acquisition of property by voluntary agreement, is approximately £80 million.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-26010 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.

All work has been authorised by the Scottish Government and its partners Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council.

As with other trunk road projects preparation and survey work, which provides essential data required prior to construction work, continues throughout the development of a scheme in order to ensure scheme preparation is kept on schedule in the event Scottish ministers decide to proceed with the scheme following consideration of the public local inquiry reporters report.

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.