Hauliers are sceptical with one saying work is a ‘waste of money’

The opening of the £49.5 million Haudagain bypass has been met with scepticism from Aberdeen haulage companies – with one boss branding it a “waste of money”.

More than 180ft of new carriageway opened to traffic yesterday between the A92 North Anderson Drive and A96 Auchmill Road.

However, Dyce Carriers boss Jason Moir believes the work should have been carried out 10 to 20 years ago and does not believe it will improve business for hauliers.

Mr Moir said: “I feel like it’s too late and should’ve been done years and years ago.

“With the bypass the way it is now and the big push to put all heavy traffic on the bypass rather than through the centre of town, I honestly feel like it’s a waste of money.”

Mr Moir believes the new low emission zone (LEZ) will also have an impact on hauliers.

The LEZ, planned by Aberdeen City Council, will have strict criteria on what kind of vehicles can enter it, as it is intended to improve air quality for Aberdonians.

It is planned to cover all of Union Street and extend from Albyn Grove in the west of the city centre to Commerce Street in the east.

But Mr Moir believes it is going to have a knock-on effect for traffic in the Altens area.

He said: “If you are going to the docks from Dyce it’s a long way round to Altens.”

Altens-based Freeland Freight Services quality manager Philip Sutherland also does not believe the new bypass is going to make any difference to the way the transport company operates.

He said: “I’ll be intrigued to see the transport time from Dyce to the quayside but I don’t think it’ll be massive.”

Dyce Carriers managing director Jason Moir.