More than 2,500 people have signed an online petition to re-open an Aberdeen road after a controversial bus gate was introduced.
Critics of the scheme on the city’s Bedford Road, have branded it “inconvenient”, “ridiculous” and “crazy”.
The bus gate was introduced, close to Kittybrewster Retail Park, in June, permanently closing the road to all but buses and cyclists.
Local residents claim the move has led to severe traffic delays in the area and many are now backing the campaign to have it removed.
The petition was started by Tillydrone resident Gillian Lawson, who said the closure was causing “massive chaos” in the area.
She added: “People are struggling to get out of the retail park.
“I went there myself on Saturday as a bit of an experiment and from the top of George Street to the retail park junction it took 40 minutes and it took another 45 minutes to get out of there to go to Tillydrone Avenue.
The petition states: “Residents of St Machar, Tillydrone, Old Aberdeen and Seaton and other residents north of Bedford Road have been ‘cut off’ from George Street, Kittybrewster Retail Park and Berryden Retail Park.
“The closure is also affecting people getting to Calsayseat Medical Practice for appointments.
“I know of six people missing appointments because of the length of time they were stuck in traffic and people using the bus stuck in traffic too.”
Aberdeen City Council has already confirmed a review will be carried out into the bus gate after it was raised as an issue by the council’s Taxi Consultation Group.
This will measure the impact the move has had on traffic in the area since it was installed.
The online petition calling for the bus gate to be reopened is addressed to the city council’s transport spokesman Councillor Ross Grant.
He said: “We are happy to look at it with officers and the issues raised so we can strike that balance that protects communities, improves traffic flow and which promotes public transport usage.”
