A one-way system – funded by a grant to improve physical distancing – has been imposed on an Aberdeen street to tackle rat-runners.
The closure of Justice Mill Lane to traffic travelling from Holburn Street to Bon Accord Street was put in place on Friday – to the surprise of nearby businesses.
John Michie, of Charles Michie’s Pharmacy in Union Street, thought firms were still being consulted on the proposals only to then notice traffic cones to the rear of the premises.
The work has been funded by a ring-fenced Scottish Government £1.76 million grant to create space for safe distancing in the streets.
Mr Michie said: “Our problem is having to advise our delivery agents about how to re-route to us, especially with medicine deliveries which can come at least twice a day and need to be parked closely for security reasons – and I see no evidence that has been given adequate consideration.
“The need seems to be to spend £1.76m, which appears to be a surprise and far more than the council expected to receive.
The former chairman of Aberdeen’s business improvement district added: “There is a danger money provided for distancing is being applied to resolve traffic problems, which are a planning issue and nothing to do with Covid-19 or cycling or anything else.”
It is feared motorists could turn into the lane from Holburn Street to bypass the Spaces For People work in Union Street, which includes a ban on right turns into Bon Accord Terrace and Bon Accord Street.
In March, before lockdown, controversial plans to ban cars overnight from Justice Mill Lane and nearby Langstane Place and Windmill Brae were shelved.
The council told The P&J the new one-way system was designed to prevent traffic “using Justice Mill and the surrounding residential areas as a rat-run”.
A spokeswoman added: “The Uptown Traders group, through Aberdeen Inspired, has asked for this work to be brought forward, accommodating pavement widening to assist physical distancing.
“The proposal was to implement this with temporary measures and its impact then assessed.”
Ferryhill councillor Audrey Nicoll said: “I understand any issues around a rat-run need to be addressed, but the measures being imposed are for physical distancing.
“They are not to deal with road safety issues and it is my view that if there are issues around rat-running, then there are other existing traffic management options the council could use to deal with it.”
