The decision by Aberdeen City Council to announce the closure of a major road just three days in advance has been branded “disappointing” and a “farce”.
The local authority confirmed yesterday that Bedford Road would be closed to cars from Monday onwards as part of the traffic management plans relating to the Third Don Crossing and Berryden Corridor.
A bus gate will also be installed on the road next week.
However, last night it emerged that businesses based in the Kittybrewster Retail Park, located on the street, had been given no advance notice of the closure.
Councillor Stephen Flynn, the leader of the opposition, hit out at the way it was handled.
He said: “The sudden nature of this and the lack of full communication is extremely disappointing.
“I think everyone would have been expecting the lines of communication would have been clearer.
“The council knew this was going to happen, it shouldn’t be a surprise to everyone, and that includes me.”
“It just seems symbolic of the whole Third Don Crossing process, which is over budget, delayed, and has been a farce.
“It’s a lack of organisation from the administration. They should be informing the public, but, once again, they have failed, and they have failed with the Third Don Crossing.”
Jennifer Barker, the store manager of Halfords in Kittybrewster Retail Park, added: “I was not told this was going to happen, a customer told me.
“It will be a big setback for our business.”
However, the criticism was dismissed by finance convener Willie Young.
He said: “This closure has always been a part of our proposals.
“Everyone who has been working on the Third Don Crossing knows the bus gate is being put in place to speed up public transport in the area and that was part of the plan.
“It has been advertised through the council.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman confirmed: “The work essentially means that cars will no longer be able to use Bedford Road as a through route.
“It’s part of a wider plan to improve traffic flow, in and around the city, following the opening of the Third Don Bridge.
“Residents will be able to access Hermitage Avenue, Bedford Avenue and Sunnyside Road from Powis Terrace.
“Bedford Road Retail Park will be accessible from Powis Terrace, only.”
