AWPR contractors "riding roughshod" over nearby land
There are calls for companies building the AWPR to take better care of people's land.
There are calls for companies building the AWPR to take better care of people's land.
It's claimed contractors working on the Aberdeen bypass are "riding roughshod" over local landowners.
Local MSP Peter Chapman says there have been a string of complaints from locals.
Mr Chapman said: “I am fully supportive of the AWPR and the obvious economic benefit to the North East of Scotland, but the contractors should not simply ride roughshod over local landowners.
“The number of constituents who have contacted me is growing and there is considerable frustration at the process for securing compensation for damage to property.
“Some of these issues may seem minor, and in monetary terms are small in the context of this enormous construction project, but we are talking about people’s livelihoods and land.
“We cannot have development at all costs, and I am increasingly concerned at reports claiming there is unauthorised work taking place, particularly around drainage provisions.
“An additional issue which makes it even more exasperating is the fact that, just when agents and landowners feel they are making progress with a representative from the contractor, there is a change of personnel where it is clear no handover has taken place.
"This means my constituents are then required to begin the whole process again from the beginning, which can be intensely frustrating.
“I have raised these issues with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown, who I hope will take these concerns on board and try to simplify the process.
“I have suggested a more user-friendly system for dealing with compensation claims, which could take the form of a single point of contact for smaller claims.”
Photograph credit: Transport Scotland