The Scottish Government has been accused of “keeping MSPs in the dark” over delays to the £745million Aberdeen bypass.
Economy Secretary Keith Brown admitted on Monday that the Balmedie-Tipperty section of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) could be up to a year behind schedule.
In a letter to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, he said that government agency Transport Scotland was informed about the setback on November 9.
But, despite a direct question from Scottish Conservative MSP Ross Thomson, at a meeting of the Public Audit Committee on November 24, officials providing an update on major capital projects – including the AWPR – did not divulge the information.
Transport Scotland’s Mike Baxter did admit that earthworks would be a “significant undertaking” – but also suggested previous delays had been “offset”.
Last night, Public Audit Committee vice convener Liam Kerr, Scottish Conservative MSP for the North East Region, said: “SNP ministers must explain why MSPs were kept in the dark for more than a month about this significant delay to the Aberdeen bypass project.
“Furthermore, we need an explanation as to why MSPs asking direct questions – more than two weeks after the contractor informed Transport Scotland of the delay – were not told about it.
“This episode raises serious questions about the SNP’s ability to manage major infrastructure projects that cannot simply be brushed aside.”
In his letter, Mr Brown, who is appearing before MSPs to discuss the issue today, said the contractor had failed to complete “key earthworks” before this winter, potentially delaying the completion of the section until 2018.
He warned of “environmental risks” if the works were to be carried out during the festive period, citing “the control of run-off from the site and issues surrounding the protection of weather susceptible materials”.
Mr Thomson, a North East Region MSP and an Aberdeen councillor, added: “I tabled a parliamentary question on the AWPR timetable in September due to concerns locally about delays and was told that everything was fine.
“I subsequently asked a very clear question at committee and was not told about this very significant delay.
“People in the north-east will expect more transparency on major public projects and will be left thinking that the government was simply trying to bury bad news.”
A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: “There is no change to the AWPR completion date with the road, including the Balmedie to Tipperty section, expected to open in winter 2017/18.
“The cabinet secretary (Keith Brown) provided an update at the earliest opportunity to parliament on December 9, 2016.”
