North East SNP MSPs have welcomed the much anticipated Scottish Government announcement approving the precise plans for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

The planned road has been in discussion for many years and work is now expected to begin in early 2010.

North East MSP Maureen Watt said:

"This decision will be warmly welcomed by people throughout the North East who currently face serious congestion problems on a regular basis. When completed, the AWPR will provide a real economic boost to the entire region as journey times come down.

"This is a real good news story for the North East and is a further sign of the SNP Government’s continued commitment to investing in the region.

This has been a project that has long been needed, but I am delighted that we have now reached this point and that work will be going ahead.

"The current road layout which sends high volumes of traffic travelling North and South of the city through Aberdeen causes real problems and delays for local residents and motorists in the rest of the North East.

The AWPR will address this and today’s announcement will be a welcome development to those who have called for its construction for so long."

Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen North, also expressed his delight at the announcement, saying:

"I am delighted that the Scottish Government has made the decision to give the go ahead to this multi million pound investment in infrastructure for Aberdeen and the North East

"This is the best possible early Christmas present for residents and businesses in the North East.

"The road haulage industry will also breathe a sigh of relief as the road will remove one the major bottlenecks for the lorries heading North and South of Aberdeen, greatly reducing transport times and cost.

"The project will also provide better access to the Airport and developments in the North such as the technology corridor from the Bridge of Don to Peterhead.

"It will also be a big boost for the local construction industry as this project will secure jobs over the coming years and ensure developments for the future.

"This proves that all the doomsayers who said it would never be built are wrong, the SNP are investing in the North East, something which others consistently failed to do.

Mr Adam continued:

"With this announcement about the AWPR, we can now look forward to its completion and then be able to get work underway on upgrading the Haudagain roundabout.

"The SNP is investing in Aberdeen and the North East for the future, the announcement today will be a big boost for the local economy and businesses, and I like many others look forward to using the road in the not too distant future."