Changes to controversial bus gate scheme proposed

Local business objected to the bus priority measures in Aberdeen city centre when they were introduced last August.

Changes to Aberdeen’s controversial city centre bus gate scheme have been proposed – less than a year after they were implemented.

The “bus gates” were part of measures to reduce the amount of general traffic on Market Street, Guild Street, Union Street and Bridge Street, and to encourage people to use public transport.

The experimental bus priority routes were implemented in August last year and Aberdeen City Council said they would “listen and adapt” to the feedback given to the bus gates.

The committee had received hundreds of objections, with local businesses claiming their trade was impacted.

However, bus operators welcomed the system – saying it had a “measurable positive impact” on services.

Under the proposals, when vehicles got to the bottom of Market Street they would only be able to turn left, providing access to Trinity Quay and Shiprow.

Drivers would not be able to continue down Market Street beyond the traffic lights.

Aberdeen City Council is now considering a motion to remove the bus gate on Union Street Westbound at Adelphi.

The council’s Net Zero, Environment and Transport Committee backed the motion at a meeting on Tuesday – which would mean that all vehicles could turn left down Market Street.

All other bus gates would stay in place.

A final decision will be taken by the full city council at a later date.

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