Councillors are being asked to approve £60,000 from the bus lanes penalty pot for traffic management at this year’s massive Offshore Europe conference in Aberdeen.
Due to an underspend last year, the council have amassed a total pot of £1,525,696 in bus lane enforcement money.
Councillors at this Thursday’s city growth committee meeting are being asked to put £60,000 into ensuring that this year’s energy showcase at the new £333million TECA, which attracts delegates from across the world, goes off without a hitch.
Under legislation, the council must spend the sum on improving transport and infrastructure links in the city.
The biggest slice, £450,000, has already been allocated for roads maintenance while £106,000 has also been mooted to replace the Aberdeen crematorium path.
Other proposed projects include new roads cameras, improving park paths and providing bike racks.
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The fines have proved to be a lucrative moneyspinner for the increasingly cash-strapped council. Last October, it emerged the authority had accumulated more than £7million worth of fines from bus lane and bus gate fines since 2015.
Drivers faced with the fines must pay £60, which is reduced to £30 if the money is paid within a time limit.
A report to the council reads: “During 2018-19, there has been insufficient net surplus available from (bus lane fines) to be able to release and deliver all projects and therefore a number of projects have not been able to proceed this financial year.
“As such, it is considered prudent to try and close the current programme of projects before seeking new projects for the programme.
“A special request has been made for funding from the BLE programme for the
temporary traffic management associated with Offshore Europe which will
take place in Aberdeen this September at TECA.
“Given the high-profile nature of the event, significant economic importance of the event and the fact it will be the first time at the new TECA, this is considered a high priority for funding to ensure its successful delivery.”
