Cabinet secretary to report on progress to the Scottish Parliament

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson is gearing up to make an announcement regarding the progress of the bypass in Holyrood next week.

It is thought this will address a number of issues about the AWPR which have been flagged up in recent weeks, including his call yesterday to scrap the previously-laid plans for opening the road.

In addition, it is hoped that a date for when motorists can use the £745 million dual carriageway will be revealed.

Rather than wait for everything to be completed and opened at the same time, Mr Matheson has insisted the portions of road ready to go – such as the main 19.6-mile stretch between Craibstone and Stonehaven – are made accessible “as soon as possible”.

But he added that, with remedial work ongoing at the new crossing over the River Don, construction consortium Aberdeen Roads Limited has been “unable to estimate a precise opening date”.

Mr Matheson said: “Transport Scotland is working closely with the contractor to open sections of the road as soon as it is safe to do so.

“In particular, I have instructed Transport Scotland to investigate the potential to open the 31.5km section of new road from Craibstone to Stonehaven and Charleston as soon as possible, while remedial work at the Don progresses.

“Discussions have taken place with ARL and they are progressing this matter through the necessary governance channels within their organisations.”

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “A proposal is still being discussed within their organisations.

“This is a commercial matter for the contractor, but we continue to work closely with them to allow the people of the northeast to enjoy the benefits of the new road as soon as possible. The cabinet secretary will provide a full update next week.”