How YOU can back the Common Sense Compromise on Aberdeen bus gates

Complete our petition or print out and post our downloadable letter to show your support for city centre traders.

By Ben Hendry

June 26 2024, 6:00 am

Backing the bus gates Common Sense Compromise: Emily McDonald, Adrian Watson, Craig Walker, Dominique Dawson, Mary Martin, Robert Keane, Victoria Mutch, John Michie, Rosemary Michie and Russell Borthwick. Image: Scott Baxter / DC Thomson

Here is how YOU can have your voice heard – and help support the Aberdeen businesses pushing for a compromise on the city centre bus gates that have been blamed for plummeting footfall and declining trade.

Earlier this week, The Press and Journal met with local shopkeepers, high street stalwarts and business groups to hear firsthand how the traffic changes have impacted them.

There can be no doubt they are suffering.

The map of Aberdeen's bus gate system, which would be altered under the proposed Common Sense Compromise. — The map of Aberdeen’s bus gate system, which would be altered under the proposed Common Sense Compromise. Image: DC Thomson

And they fear an imminent decision to make these traffic regulations permanent will only make matters worse, by further deterring people from visiting the centre.

Together, we have devised the Common Sense Compromise – a list of potential changes to the Aberdeen bus gate system that could save traders from despair.

The group’s Common Sense Compromise calls for:

Keep the Guild Street bus gates, along with restrictions on Schoolhill and Upperkirkgate
Remove the bus gates at the Adelphi and Market Street, allowing access in both directions through Market Street
Remove the bus gates on Bridge Street, allowing full access in both directions
Remove the right turn ban on Union Terrace
Issue a warning rather than a fine to first offenders
Use fines to help city centre businesses via transport initiatives

A bus using the new system on Market Street. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson

We need YOU: Help Aberdeen businesses by backing bus gate changes

But we can’t do it alone – we need your help.

We need each and every one of our readers, their friends and family, and as many people as we can, to stand side by side with our city institutions.

Just a few clicks will help.

You can add your name to the petition backing the Common Sense Compromise, which is being run by Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.

Bus gate on Guild Street, Aberdeen. — We agree that bus gates on Guild Street should be kept. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson

You can also download our letter and send it to the councillors who will vote on the bus gates on Wednesday July 3.

Simply choose your local councillor from the list provided below and post it to the below address.

FAO (councillor name)
Ground Floor
Marischal College
Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1AB

The Common Sense Compromise letter can be downloaded here.

If you would rather email, then you can copy and paste the text from the letter and send it to any of the below addresses to reach your local representative.

Dyce/ Buckburn/ Danestone