Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire's bypass cost share queried

The Aberdeen bypass was given the go-ahead in 2009

The Scottish government is being asked why Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils are paying part of the cost of the Aberdeen bypass while Fife and Edinburgh councils are not helping fund the new Forth bridge.

Each north east council will pay up to £75m towards the cost of the bypass.

Aberdeen's finance convenor has written to Transport Minister Keith Brown.

The 28-mile Aberdeen bypass was given the green light by Scottish ministers in 2009.

It was delayed by legal action.

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

It is expected to be completed in 2018.

The Scottish government's transport agency Transport Scotland said council funding settlements are allocated according to need and have risen in recent years.

It said other councils, such as those around the M74 extension, have entered similar arrangements.

It said the Aberdeen bypass would bring significant economic returns on the investment.