A petition calling for the new priority bus routes in Aberdeen city centre to be scrapped has reached more than 1,000 signatures in less than 48 hours.
Sections of both Bridge Street and Guild Street are currently closed while work gets underway to install the final two bus gates.
Meanwhile, the one on Market Street was completed last week.
The controversial project has been met with mounting anger as readers slam the plans.
And now, petitions have been launched urging councillors to scrap the new bus gates as well as allowing blue badge holders to use them.
Why have petitions been launched?
David Laing organised the Scrap the New Bus Gates – Keep Aberdeen Accessible petition last night.
Since it launched, the petition has gained more than 1,000 signatures highlighting the anger from Aberdonians over the new proposals.
Mr Laing warned the bus gates would hamper city businesses and reduce footfall at an “already difficult” time, as well as highlighting there would be no blue badge exemption in place.
He wrote: “The new bus gates are restricting access to the city, making what should be a simple journey into the city centre, confusing and disruptive for drivers.
“Their introduction will contribute to further city centre decline as locals and visitors alike simply won’t bother with the hassle of trying to travel into town due to the gates.
“The shops, cafes, restaurants, and entertainment venues alongside other businesses in Aberdeen have faced enough challenges over the past few years. More restrictions that will likely reduce footfall do them no favours at an already difficult time.”
Last year, Jo Evans launched Stop Aberdeen City Council’s plans for Guild Street Bus Gates.
She pointed out the AWPR has taken away a “huge amount” of traffic and the harbour is one of the busiest in the country.
She said: “No one uses these streets unless they are trying to access the shopping centres in town or it’s the shortest, quickest option.
“All these new measures will do is force unnecessary traffic to surrounding areas, ie, Virginia Street, Market Street, Rosemount, West End, Holburn, Ferryhill and Riverside Drive.”
What about the blue badge holders?
Aberdeen University’s Gaudie news editor Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco has also launched a petition, urging councillors to let blue badge holders use the bus gates.
No Bus Gates for Blue Badge Holders has had seven signatures so far.
He believes the restrictions will “close off large sections” of Market Street, Bridge Street and Guild Street to those with disabilities, relying on cars to get around the city.
Mr Pizzuto-Pomaco said: “It is unfair that these individuals will face increased difficulty in accessing city centre businesses and facilities, including transportation links at Union Square.
“Taxis and goods vehicles will be allowed to access the ‘bus priority route’ – disabled Aberdonians deserve the same treatment.”
‘Another nail in the coffin of Aberdeen city centre’
Residents signing the petitions shared their reasons for doing so.
Stephen Havey wrote: “These bus gates put another nail in the coffin of Aberdeen city centre.
“They are the last thing the people and businesses of Aberdeen need on top of Covid, the cost of living crisis and the LEZ.”
Michael Rennie agreed and said: “This ridiculous move will keep people out of Aberdeen city centre and consequently affect or close businesses. Congestion in other areas caused by this will have a further environmental impact.”
Mhairi Sinclair added: “I want Aberdeen to be accessible to all and the shops and restaurants and bars can have a chance of survival.”
Meanwhile, blue badge holder Mary Fletcher branded the city as an “absolute mess”.
She said: “I’m a blue badge holder and I will not venture into Aberdeen except for a route around the harbour and down to the beach boulevard.
“I’ve no idea how to get to places like blue badge parking. It’s a disgrace, they’ve ruined it for many people coming into Aberdeen full stop.
“I’ll shop in Stonehaven where I live.”
Ann Walker wrote: “It is a disgrace in Aberdeen. The council is making those who have to use a car drive further and take longer to get anywhere.
“This means my car is now causing more pollution than it used to and increasing the cost of using my car.
“I have to use a car because I am disabled but I know many others have to use a car because of a lack of public transport and the cost of buses in Aberdeen.”
‘Aberdeen should be a welcoming and inclusive city’
MSP Liam Kerr has backed the latest petition, claiming there seems to be “no clear logic” to the plans.
He said: “Aberdeen should be a welcoming and inclusive city but by also banning blue badge vehicles, the council is shamefully discouraging people with disabilities who struggle to use public transport to enter the city centre.
“We also have no idea by what criteria the council will deem these bus gates a success at the end of the 18-month trial.
“It’s vital the local authority goes back to the drawing board, properly consults with the public and reconsiders the idea to prevent the city centre from becoming a ghost town.”
No plans to change new bus gates
Aberdeen City Council said there were no plans at this time to amend the new bus gates.
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “The main purpose of the experimental order is to support the City Centre Masterplan by establishing a priority route for buses, while still maintaining access for pedal cycles, taxis, goods vehicles and authorised vehicles (namely, private hire vehicles).
“This will enhance bus reliability and travel time and encourage bus services as a sustainable transport option as well as establishing an improved environment for pedestrians and cyclists.
“The installation of the bus gates will be completed at the end of this week.
“The measures are supported by an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order which is in place therefore they are operational as and when the signing and lining is installed.
“There is further publicity to come out about the measures, including plans to guide drivers around the network, locating the new blue badge parking spaces, highlighting local access only routes and the bus priority measures.
“There are no plans, at this time, to amend the new bus gates however, they will be monitored following implementation as drivers adapt to the changes and amendments can be made to their operation over the next few months, if these are felt necessary.”
They added access to all major carparks and blue badge parking bays will be maintained through the plans.
For car parks in the north and west, drivers are advised to head along the A96, A956, A944 or B9119. For the south, motorists should use the A93 or A956.
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