SNP Candidates Welcome Progress On A90 Dualling

SNP council candidates Rob Merson and Richard Thomson have welcomed the announcement that the dualling of the Tipperty – Balmedie section of the A90 has been progressed by the Scottish Government with the publication of made orders.

Ellon & District SNP councillor Rob Merson, said:

“I am absolutely delighted that the SNP Government has delivered on yet another election promise.  As a resident of Ellon for over 35 years, I am well aware of the importance of the road link to Aberdeen.  Allied to the construction of the AWPR, journey times will be improved for travellers across North Aberdeenshire. The people of the North-east might at last look forward to having the roads infrastructure which they ought to have had thirty years ago.

“The fact that most of the route will be constructed alongside the existing route should also minimise disruption for commuters during the construction phase.

“After eight years of inaction by the former Scottish Executive, I am very pleased that our Transport Minister was so quickly able to complete the sterling work done by his predecessor, Stewart Stevenson MSP, in turning this long-standing aspiration into a reality.”

Fellow SNP candidate for Ellon & District Richard Thomson added:

"This represents an important milestone for the Balmedie-Tipperty project. It is good news for the North-east in general and Ellon in particular.

"Procuring Balmedie-Tipperty together with the AWPR makes a lot of sense as it will help to secure important savings for the public purse.

"I hope that following the devastating judgement against the anti-AWPR lobby last month in the Court of Session, work can soon get underway on a road which almost everyone agrees is long overdue."

Minister for Transport Keith Brown MSP said:

“The Scottish Government is committed to providing an efficient transport system throughout the country, including in the north east.

“On completion, the Balmedie - Tipperty dualling scheme will deliver improved safety, better connections and more reliable journey times for anyone using this section of the A90 north of Aberdeen.

“By combining the Balmedie -Tipperty dualling scheme in a combined Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) model contract alongside the AWPR we are ensuring the opportunity to deliver better value for the public purse.”