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.

The objectives for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route are set out in a number of published documents, including those listed below.

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

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

Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, Environmental Statement 2007:

http://awpr.co.uk/document_archive.asp?command=OpenFolder&folder=Environmental+Statement%5C&file=September+2007.

Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, Interim STAG Report:

http://www.awpr-pli.org/downloads/Documents/Transport%20Scotland%20Documents/TS047.pdf.

Various consultations have taken place in relation to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route during which the public were invited to provide comment.

During the period when alternative corridors were under consideration, consultation took place with a wide range of statutory and non-statutory bodies, seeking comment in respect of the various alternatives identified, which included the Milltimber Brae corridor and the Fastlink as a component of the Peterculter/Stonehaven corridor.

During the public consultation held in spring 2005, the public were invited to comment in respect of the various alternatives identified, which included the Milltimber Brae corridor and the Fastlink as a component of the Peterculter/Stonehaven corridor.

The publication of draft orders in December 2006 and September 2007 marked the start of formal statutory consultation periods in respect of the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route. During the statutory consultation periods the public had the opportunity to comment in respect of the proposals, including the opportunity to object to the published scheme should they be so minded.

In terms of the public local inquiry, there was extensive consideration of the Milltimber Brae and Fastlink route for the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thirty two different groups and individuals presented evidence to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route public local inquiry. This included, amongst others, action groups, community councils, councillors and building developers. In addition to this, 34 witnesses were called by these parties.

The reporters appointed to conduct the public local inquiry, and to report to Scottish ministers into objections received against the proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, have considered all objections passed to them by Transport Scotland. The remit of the inquiry was set by Scottish ministers and in preparing their report to ministers, the reporters have only reported on matters that fell within this remit. Approximately 10,000 letters of objection were considered by the reporters and many of these letters contained multiple objections. The reporters did not keep a record of the number of letters or objections that fell outwith the remit of the inquiry.