Aberdeen bypass work gets under way with ground investigations

Transport Minister Keith Brown welcomed the progress

Preparatory work for the Aberdeen bypass has got under way.

The ground investigations, expected to take up to six months, will give potential bidders information needed to submit tenders for the contract.

The 28-mile road was given the green light by Scottish ministers in 2009, but was delayed by legal action. Protesters lost their appeal to the Supreme Court last month.

Previously predicted to cost £347m, that has risen to more than £650m.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "We have already informed the construction industry tenders for the main works will be issued in spring next year."

Aberdeen City Council leader Barney Crockett said: "I'm delighted to see that work is getting under way so quickly."