Aberdeen Councillors Approve New Consultation on City Centre Traffic Rule Reversal

Aberdeen councillors have approved the initiation of a new consultation regarding proposals to eliminate a prohibition on right turns within the city centre. Earlier this year, the local authority had decided to permanently implement bus gates and various traffic restrictions. This decision was met with criticism from local businesses and members of the opposition. Furthermore, the administration had resolved to lift a ban that prevented right turns from Union Terrace onto Rosemount Viaduct. Subsequently, officers identified that the prior decision to render the experimental traffic order permanent was legally invalid, necessitating a new consultation by law. The urgent business committee subsequently endorsed this requirement. During the urgent business meeting, Angela Scott, the city council’s chief executive, issued an apology for the mistake. Opposition councillors sought to refer the matter to a full council meeting; however, this proposal was rejected, and the motion was carried. Current legislation mandates that the experimental traffic order must be made permanent by the conclusion of January. Aberdeen City Council now faces a deadline of just over six weeks to ensure legal compliance. The contentious city centre bus gate scheme was initially introduced last year. In October, the council had voted to establish a set of city centre measures, including the bus gates, as permanent fixtures. These measures are designed with the aim of enhancing accessibility. Nevertheless, some residents and businesses have reported a decline in footfall and profits since the implementation of the bus priority measures.