Alex Salmond has welcomed news that the Aberdeen bypass is to proceed as planned, following the rejection of an appeal by the UK Supreme Court.

The First Minister said it was now time to "crack on and deliver" with the project, after opposition campaigners suffered a unanimous rejection of their appeal.

It is thought that the development of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) will create 14,000 jobs, with all job opportunities being advertised in local job centres and online as per legal regulations.

Minimum requirements will also be set for apprentices and graduate trainees.

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Work on the project is estimated to begin early next year, with completion expected by spring 2018.

Mr Salmond said: "The decision by the Supreme Court is a just ruling for the north east of Scotland and an opportunity for Scotland that marks the end of five incredibly frustrating years for the vast majority of people who are behind this ambitious project.

"Over the next three decades, the AWPR and the Balmedie to Tipperty road schemes are expected to bring in an additional £6bn to the local economy, creating around 14,000 new jobs. It is therefore crucial that we crack on and deliver these vital and frankly long overdue infrastructure projects.

"When it is finished, the AWPR/Balmedie-Tipperty project will bring economic, environmental and road safety benefits to the area as well as improving the integration of public transport and access to Aberdeen. The time for debate is over, let’s deliver a project for the people of the north east that will make us all proud."

(IT)