A controversial new camera system is set to be installed on key routes around Aberdeen to monitor traffic flow and journey times.
The city council is spending £300,000 on the network of digital CCTV cameras with plans in place for the more contentious Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to be installed at a later date.
The 16 new CCTV devices are located at sites with a history of gridlock including the Beach Boulevard, Dyce Drive, George Street and Wellington Road and will be monitored from a central control room.
The ANPR cameras will be installed separately with a council spokeswoman saying the number and location “had yet to be decided”.
The cameras have proved controversial when introduced elsewhere with privacy campaigners expressing concerns about the data collected.
A council spokeswoman said: “The benefits to motorists include reduced delays at key locations and a system which is designed to work with the new AWPR routes in and out of the city.
“We’re looking forward to using the new system and realising the benefits for motorists who live, work or are visiting Aberdeen.”
Administration transport spokesman Ross Grant said: “The introduction of this scheme marks an important step for the city and our road network in particular as we look to ensure the smooth flow of traffic as people enter and move around the city.
“I am pleased to see that the ANPR is being implemented as it will help the city to lock in the benefits of the AWPR and at a time that we are progressing other vital projects like the Berryden Corridor upgrade.”
The funding for the project included £210,000 from Nestrans, whose director Derick Murray said: “We are delighted to help fund the project which is a fantastic development in dynamic traffic management for Aberdeen.”
However, Liberal Democrat infrastructure spokesman Steve Delaney responded he had “concerns on potential privacy issues” with the imminent introduction of the devices.
He said: “It very much depends on what is done with the information that is collected.
“The principle of collecting road data to use for forward planning in order to work out any traffic problems is fine and sensible.
“But I would want safeguards put in place to make sure any data collected is used only for this purpose and the cameras aren’t used to track anyone’s movements.”