The SEPA are investigating reports of significant silt pollution in watercourses near to the £550m Aberdeen Western Periphery Route (AWPR) project following heavy rainfall earlier this week.
A consortium of Galliford Try Investments, Balfour Beatty Investments and Carillion Private Finance known as Aberdeen Roads Limited (ARL) halted work on the AWPR while the investigation takes place.
Calum MacDonald, Executive Director of the SEPA, said: “[Halting work] will allow for AWPR contractors to provide assurance to SEPA within seven days that adequate measures and monitoring are in place to protect against potential pollution.
“During this time, SEPA officers will continue to inspect the entirety of the route to identify the sources and impact of pollution on the wider water environment, which includes protected spawning grounds for Salmon and Freshwater Pearl Mussels.”
A statement by Transport Scotland on 17th June added: “[ARL] has been working over the past three days to mitigate excess water flowing from the project site following a prolonged period of heavy rain across the North East [of Scotland].
“However, the measures put in place have been overwhelmed by the extent of the heavy rain.
“We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and are supporting [the] SEPA in its investigation.
“We are also working with the contractor to secure watercourses across the site and to enable construction works to continue at the earliest opportunity."
ARL is responsible for building, financing and operating the AWPR project, which will include a 12km connection between Balmedie and Tipperty.
Work began in December 2014, and was originally scheduled for completion in winter 2017.
When complete, the new road is expected to carry more than 43,000 vehicles each day through its busiest section.
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