Average speed cameras installed to protect workers upgrading the north-east’s busiest road could finally be switched on next week.
The controversial devices were set up along the A90 Aberdeen to Ellon road between Blackdog and Balmedie three months ago, but have not yet been switched on.
The North Safety Camera Unit previously said they couldn’t be used until tests had been carried out.
Now those checks – which have involved positioning the cameras to ensure they provide the best pictures of speeders – have been completed, with local councillors indicating they could finally become operational next week.
Last night a spokeswoman for the North Safety Camera Unit (NSCU) – who installed the cameras after repeated complaints that motorists were flouting the 50mph in place to protect the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) workers – said: “At the beginning of this week, small adjustments were made to the positioning of the average speed cameras in order for them to produce the best quality images of vehicles involved in alleged speeding offences.
“Test images must now be viewed before a suitable date for the cameras to go live can be established.
“The North Safety Camera Unit would like to remind drivers and riders that the 50mph limit, which is active 24 hours a day, may currently be enforced by Police Scotland’s roads policing unit.”
Mid-Formartine councillor Allan Hendry said he had been informed several of the cameras had to be replaced.
He added: “One or two were not working, they are linking to a control room in Dundee and weren’t sending proper pictures. They are still testing them. Hopefully they should be up and running by next week.
“I would have to say that going back and forward into Aberdeen, a lot of people aren’t sticking to the 50mph limit at the minute.
“It is just so stupid, there is a danger aspect to it, there are men working at the side of the road from time to time.
“It is annoying to me, I expected them to be up and running weeks and weeks ago, but in fairness some cameras weren’t operating and they had to change the cameras.”
Ellon councillor Gillian Owen said the introduction of traffic lights at the Old Road junction at Balmedie strengthened the case to bring them in as soon as possible.
She said: “With Eigie Road shut at Balmedie end, I think there is a possibility there is more urgency to get the technical side sorted out and get the cameras working.”
Councillors welcome new A90 traffic lights
Councillors last night welcomed the introduction of traffic lights at the turn-off to Balmedie on the A90.
Allan Hendry, local councillor and Balmedie resident, said many people had struggled to get in and out of the village due to the AWPR works.
Transport Scotland is closing the Eigie Road junction onto the A90, to the south of Balmedie, as a new grade-separated junction is built at the site, and are placing temporary traffic lights at its Old Road intersection.
The restrictions were met with a mixed reaction from locals living along the A90, and were switched on Tuesday despite a minor technical glitch.
Residents have largely welcomed the measure, having had trouble accessing the A90 when using both junctions.
Mr Hendry said: “I have been involved in all the traffic planning that is been going on in and around Balmedie. There are people living in Balmedie who can’t get out onto the dual carriageway.
“We got the traffic lights up and working they broke down, they all went red, but they fixed it in a matter of minutes. They are working fine now.”
Ellon councillor Gillian Owen, added: “I welcome the traffic lights, people coming out of the Balmedie have got to get onto the A90. We just have to think in terms of what we get at the end of it.”
