Steps are already being taken to deliver the new Aberdeen bypass.

The action follows a ruling by the UK Supreme Court that the bypass, long awaited by the council and SNP, can now proceed.

Campaigners had launched a last-chance appeal against the long-debated project, but now those opposed to the Aberdeen West Peripheral Route (AWPR) have few options left.

Transport Scotland and local authority partners Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils are now "pressing on" with the project.

A Prior Information Notice (PIN) for the AWPR and adjoining Balmedie-Tipperty project has been published.

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A further notice will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) early next year.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said:

"The PIN publication immediately after getting the go-ahead is a clear sign that we are delivering on our promise to crack on with the AWPR and the A90 Balmedie-Tipperty dualling.

"Over the next three decades, the project is expected to bring in an additional £6bn to the local economy and create around 14,000 new jobs.

"This scheme will also bring environmental and road safety improvements, as well as enhancing the integration of public transport and access to Aberdeen."

The Balmedie-Tipperty project will be procured alongside the AWPR as a single construction project under one Non-Profit Distribution (NPD) contract.

Work has already begun to quantify the total project costs and Aberdeenshire Council has said it will update Holyrood with the revised figures.

Construction is expected to commence in 2014 with completion by spring 2018.

(IT)