A key section of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Road/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project is set to open in the next few weeks.

A temporary road order has been published for the 7.5 mile Balmedie to Tipperty stretch of the project, allowing the contractor Aberdeen Roads Limited (ARL) to apply a reduced speed limit to the slip roads associated with the new junctions at Balmedie, Newburgh and Tipperty. In addition, the move will enable ARL to undertake final preparation works in advance of this section being fully open to traffic.

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Representing around one-fifth of the entire AWPR/B-T project, this section includes six miles of new dual carriageway between Balmedie and Bridgend, as well as 1.5 miles of improvements to the existing dual carriageway between Balmedie and Blackdog.

Last month, the four-mile Parkhill to Blackdog section was opened.

Douglas Laird, Transport Scotland AWPR/B-T project manager, said: "We said we would work with ARL to open new sections of road to bring the benefits of the project to people as soon as possible and practicable. Today's publication is a significant step towards opening the upgraded section of A90 between Balmedie and Tipperty.

"While we will only know the exact date when final works and safety inspections are fully complete, this milestone allows the contractor to start the necessary finishing works and certainly signals we're in the home stretch. We expect to announce more details in due course.

"As always, we thank local communities, road users and businesses from across the north east for their patience during these works."

(LM)