AWPR nightmare a slap in face

When we are having difficulty finding our destination, satnav often comes to our rescue – but the answer to the Scottish Government’s nightmare over the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) is in the hands of its contractors and not the stars. Transport Secretary Michael Matheson had the embarrassment of confirming another major delay and that it might now be December before the whole bypass is open. It was even more embarrassing as he was simply passing on a message from one of the contractors. You could tell the minister’s patience had worn out as he issued a warning to contractor Galliford Try to get its act together, and to “stop deliberating and start acting”. He named chief executive Peter Truscott whom he blamed for “contradicting” earlier discussions about a swift opening. As many feared, a “late autumn” ribboncutting was merely an illusion. With technical challenges, worsening weather and the festive break approaching, would any bookie accept bets on it opening in the new year? This shambles is another slap in the face for the north-east. It was also worrying that Mr Matheson has started talking about “lessons being learned”. This is an early indication that the Scottish Government could probably have avoided this mess.

“You could tell the minister’s patience had worn out as he issued a warning to Galliford Try”