BBC Democracy Live - Scottish Parliament 22 May 2013 Last updated at 17:29 Help Richard Baker MSP said Aberdeen should have a transport system that was "fit for purpose" in a Labour debate on the Haudagain roundabout on 22 May 2013. The North East Scotland MSP said "if Aberdeen is to secure its future as an energy hub the Haudagain has to be addressed" as commuters face long delays, airport investment is undermined by congestion which in 2006 was estimated to cost the local economy between £15m and £30m each year. Failure to begin work on the Haudagain roundabout before 2018 would leave the SNP open to the charge that Aberdeen is "their forgotten city." Transport and Veterans Minister Keith Brown countered the claim by quoting Nestrans and Aberdeen council: "the benefits of the Haudagain will only be realised when the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and the third Don crossing are complete." Mr Brown noted that design work had started on the Haudagain and the Scottish government would compensate landowners and households affected by the project. Referring to the forthcoming Aberdeen Donside by-election, Mr Brown accused Labour of needing "a fig leaf" to explain why it was left to the SNP to finish the M74, the Borders rail line and the Forth crossing. Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone called on the minister to make a commitment to ensure the "Haudagain's status will be advanced to that of a shovel-ready project as quickly as possible." Newly sworn in new SNP MSP Christian Allard made his first speech in the parliament to much acclaim from his fellow MSPs.