The public inquiry into the Aberdeen Bypass begins today at the Aberdeen Treetops hotel.

The Scottish Government have received thousands of responses from the public regarding the Transport Scotland scheme which is aimed at The bypass aims to easing traffic and improving business.

Only technical and environmental aspects of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) will be examined.

Campaigners, from groups such as Road Sense, the Scottish Green Party, Friends of the Earth Scotland and Transform Scotland, will use shop window dummies, floating dummies, and other props to illustrate their claim that the AWPR is just "window dressing" by the Scottish Government.

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The protest groups have criticised the cost and environmental impact of the plans.

Rita Stephen, development manager of Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Forum, said: "The AWPR is pivotal to making many of the other transport solutions happen.

"It is the lynchpin for ensuring we have a modern transport strategy that allows for integrated modes of transport that will improve public transport and reduce journey times. We must deliver it as soon as possible."

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "Transport Scotland has its case in place and we are looking forward to the start of the public local inquiry, where the technical and environmental aspects of the route selection will be examined in full."

The inquiry may run until December.

(GK/JM)