Question reference: S5W-34812
- Asked by: Mike Rumbles, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 27 January 2021
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 February 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland launched the consultation of the A96 Huntly to Aberdeen dualling project (a) without providing notification to Aberdeenshire Council and (b) on 21 December 2020 while local communities were entering the Christmas holiday period, and what the reasons were for its decision in this regard.
Answer
As for all Transport Scotland’s major infrastructure projects, consultation is an integral part of the design process for the A96 Dualling East of Huntly to Aberdeen scheme.
Transport Scotland advised a representative from Aberdeenshire Council about the forthcoming virtual exhibition and followed this up in writing on 18 December to confirm that the consultation would go live on the Transport Scotland website on 21 December 2020. In addition, a meeting with Aberdeenshire Council officers took place during the current feedback period on 03 February 2021 to present the outcome of the route options assessment and explain the next stage of the design process.
Due to the significant interest in the scheme and the amount of feedback received during the route options assessment process, it was considered appropriate to give communities visibility on the conclusion of the assessment at the earliest opportunity. This ensured communities were kept fully appraised of our plans as soon as they were available.
Recognising the impact of the festive period and the COVID-19 restrictions, we had already extended the usual feedback period by two weeks to eight weeks. However, in recognition of the widespread interest in this scheme and in light of the ongoing restrictions and feedback received, we have extended the consultation period for a further three weeks till 08 March 2021, to let the public have their say on the preferred option.