Nicol Stephen met with about 1,000 concerned constituents

Nicol Stephen is a local MSP and also the Lib Dem transport minister's party leader, yet he said he was not involved in the controversial decision.

Tavish Scott had angered residents when he rejected five original options in favour of the Milltimber Brae route.

Mr Stephen said he hoped there could be some "flexibility" in the decision.

The deputy first minister, who was the transport minister during the public consultation over the route, said he had been surprised at his Liberal Democrat colleague's decision.

After a public meeting with about 1,000 of his constituents, Mr Stephen said: "I was surprised because [Tavish Scott] chose one of the routes that hadn't been consulted on.

Possible improvements

"I'm confident that following on from the meeting this evening that a lot of views will be expressed to him and that there will be improvements made.

"I certainly intend to press a powerful case to the minister."

Sue Hawkins, whose home could be demolished to make way for the bypass, said she was amazed Mr Stephen was kept in the dark.

"He's the senior Liberal Democrat in the Scottish Executive, he's an ex-transport minister and he's a local MSP," she said.

"I simply can't believe that that could have been the case."

Transport Minister Tavish Scott insisted that Mr Stephen should not have had prior knowledge of the decision.