Controversial plans to remove a pelican crossing in Aberdeen city centre have been put on hold after a U-turn from council bosses.
The local authority came under fire after announcing it was getting rid of the pedestrian link at Rosemount Viaduct, opposite His Majesty’s Theatre.
It later emerged that the City Centre Community Council and the independent Disability Advisory Group (DAG) were not consulted before the decision was taken.
Council officials said surveys showed that useage of the crossing is “minimal”, and argued there would be no detrimental effect on road safety.
About £300 a year would be saved by removing the traffic lights.
However, safety concerns were raised by the community council and local ward members, who claimed that there was a potential for an accident.
A spokeswoman for the local authority confirmed yesterday that the plans would now go out to consultation before a new report is compiled for consideration by the enterprise, strategic planning and infrastructure (ESP&I) committee in September.
Rosemount and Midstocket councillor Bill Cormie said: “I was contacted by members of the disability advisory group, the local community council as well as older residents in the area to say they use that crossing a lot.
“Without it, there was a fear that somebody is going to get seriously hurt.”
The city centre community council previously wrote to ward councillors and the ESP&I committee convener Barney Crockett to express their disappointment at the lack of contact.
The letter said: “We are surprised that there was no kind of consultation done on this before a decision was made and feel that before any work is carried out a proper consultation takes place.”
Mr Crockett had defended the decision, arguing that the crossing was “hardly used”.
Yesterday, the council spokeswoman said: “Further surveys carried out at the site over an extended period confirm that there is no significant use of the crossing.
“Discussions are ongoing with the Disability Action Group.”
Over the course of six visits to the site by council staff, the average number of pedestrians crossing was 218.
An average of 84% of those crossed outwith the designated crossing area.
Of the remaining 16% who followed the route of the crossing, most crossed without pressing the push-button, the report said.