Work has commenced on the new Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty (AWPR) project.

The £745m scheme will be delivered in phases and is expected to be completed in winter 2017. Around 1,500 jobs will be supported by the project, as well as more than 100 apprenticeships and graduate places.

The project will see more than 58km of new road delivered, as well as a dozen new junctions, 14 miles of new slip roads, two new river crossings and 150 other structures. An anticipated completion date of winter 2017 has been given, six months ahead of the original schedule.

Welcoming the start of the build, First Minister Nicola Surgeon, said it is the largest road scheme of its kind now underway in the UK.

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She said: "The scheme is already bringing short-term economic benefits through £221 million of sub-contracts, either put to the market or soon to be advertised, and longer-term benefits estimated to bring £6 billion of investment and 14,000 jobs to the north-east over the next thirty years.

"During construction alone, the bypass is expected to bring around 1,500 jobs during its peak, and over 100 training and vocational places which will ensure our young people get valuable opportunities to enter the workplace.

"Scotland has the highest employment and economic activity rates, and lowest unemployment, including youth unemployment, of any of the four nations in the UK – and it's clear the Aberdeen bypass is contributing to this success."

Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Keith Brown, added: "There have been many challenges to get us on the road, but I'm delighted construction of this new bypass is now underway to deliver for businesses, commuters and communities right across the north-east."

Photo issued by the Scottish Government.

(JP/IT)