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A MAN who objects to a controversial road bypass is taking his case to the UK's highest court.

The 28-mile Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, costing £400million, was given the green light by the Scottish Government in 2009 after a four-month public inquiry.

William Walton, chairman of pressure group Road Sense, is critical of the cost of building the road and the environmental impact of the scheme.

He is challenging the lawfulness of the Scottish Government's decision to approve the bypass and wants the official orders giving the project the go-ahead to be quashed.

The Government spent £1.1million of taxpayers' cash defending his initial challenge which was dismissed by Lord Tyre. A subsequent appeal was rejected in February.

The case was initially brought by Road Sense but it was later agreed to continue it in Mr Walton's name alone.

Following legal advice, he has decided to take his case to the UK Supreme Court.

Mr Walton said: "We have been advised by our legal team that there is a case to answer at the Supreme Court and, after much deliberation, I have decided to pursue it.

"The fundamental issue of lack of consultation on the fastlink (section of the bypass) remains the same.

"In 2005 (then Transport Minister) Tavish Scott announced a route which had not been subject to public consultation. We still believe this is a fundamental injustice which needs now to be heard at the highest court in the United Kingdom.

"Our legal team believes there is a point of principle regarding the law of public participation which should be brought before the court."

Road Sense has urged critics of the campaign to "understand that Mr Walton is pursuing his democratic right to challenge the proposed route in the courts" and called for his actions to be treated "with respect".

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "The Scottish Government has an iron will to proceed with this vital project as soon as the legal process is concluded. There has now been a parliamentary process, a public local inquiry and two clear and comprehensive court verdicts giving the green light to the road.

"Any further delay will simply cost the people of Scotland money and subject the people of the Aberdeen area to more years of congestion. I strongly believe that the vast majority of people in the north east are running out of patience and, like us, want this vital road built as quickly as possible.

"In August last year Lord Tyre refused the challenges against the AWPR (Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route) and in February the Court of Session refused the subsequent appeal.

"We continue to hope that the small number of objectors will accept the decision so that we can deliver a project that is crucial for safeguarding and creating jobs, the economy and transport infrastructure of Aberdeen and the whole of the north east without further delay.

"We will now consider next steps if and when Mr Walton officially takes his case to the Supreme Court.

"We acted previously to ensure his arguments could be heard and the case expedited. Those arguments were rejected by the Court of Session and we will have to consider carefully his new approach. Our aim is to get on with building the AWPR as soon as possible."